Title
Amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finance, Taxes and Collections," by adding a new Chapter providing for the recovery of enhanced monetary damages from persons who file false or fraudulent claims with the City, providing a procedure for persons with knowledge of such claims to inform the City and authorizing the City, in certain circumstances, to allow such persons to commence civil actions on behalf of the City and to share in the proceeds awarded, and providing for civil penalties, attorneys' fees and costs, all under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 19. FINANCE, TAXES AND COLLECTIONS.
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CHAPTER 19-3600. FALSE CLAIMS.
§ 19-3601. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this Chapter.
(1) Claim. Any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property, or financial assistance (as defined in § 17-1401(16), but regardless of amount), which is made to any employee, officer or agent of the City or to any contractor, grantee or other recipient of money or property, if the City provides any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded, or will reimburse such contractor, grantee, or other recipient for any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded.
(2) Contractor. A person who enters into a contact with the City or any owner, officer, director, employee or agent of such person, any subcontractor of such person or any person acting in concert or conspiring with such person, but not including any person who is a city official or employee or was a city official or employee at the time of the alleged conduct.
(3) False Claim. A claim, or information relating to a claim, which is false or fraudulent.
(4) Investigation. An inquiry conducted for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is ...
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