By Nick McCann – Courthouse News Service

A whistle-blower who claimed Verizon Communications overcharged the federal government contracts is entitled to 20 percent of Verizon's $93 million settlement, a federal judge ruled.

Verizon paid the United States more than $93 million in an April 2011 settlement to resolve overcharging claims.

Uncle Sam said Verizon subsidiary MCI Communications Services invoiced the General Services Administration for a variety of taxes and surcharges. The government is not allowed to reimburse contractors for property taxes, carrier recovery charges or certain surcharges, according to the ruling in District of Columbia Federal Court.

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