(1) In any action brought under this act, the department or the qui tam plaintiff shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the state or the Federal Government in any criminal proceeding concerning the conduct of the defendant that forms the basis for a civil cause of action under this act, whether upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, shall estop the defendant in any action by the department pursuant to this act as to all matters as to which such judgment or decree would be an estoppel as if the department had been a party in the criminal proceeding.
History.—s. 10, ch. 94-316; s. 10, ch. 2013-104.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure
Chapter 68 - Miscellaneous Proceedings
68.01 - Declaring Tax Assessment Invalid.
68.03 - Sequestration; Proceedings Prescribed.
68.04 - Chancery Jurisdiction Over Liens.
68.06 - Actions Upon Negotiable and Other Instruments; Consideration, Etc.
68.065 - Actions to Collect Worthless Payment Instruments; Attorney Fees and Collection Costs.
68.081 - Florida False Claims Act; Short Title.
68.082 - False Claims Against the State; Definitions; Liability.
68.083 - Civil Actions for False Claims.
68.084 - Rights of the Parties in Civil Actions.
68.085 - Awards to Plaintiffs Bringing Action.
68.086 - Expenses; Attorney Fees and Costs.
68.087 - Exemptions to Civil Actions.
68.088 - Protection for Participating Employees.
68.089 - Limitation of Actions; Effect of Interventions by Department.
68.091 - Construction and Severability of Provisions.
68.092 - Deposit of Recovered Moneys.
68.093 - Florida Vexatious Litigant Law.
68.097 - Authority and Duties of the Department.
68.103 - Unconstitutionality or Unenforceability of Fund Limitations.