Jackson Kelly PLLC

Government Contracts Monitor

False Claims and False Statements

The Constitution Saved the Day (and $50 Million) in False Claims Case

In the modern application of the False Claims Act, where multi-million or even multi-billion dollar settlements and fines are increasingly common, a recent case demonstrates that there is some limit and rationality to the financial exposure that a government contractor may face.  In United States ex. rel. Bunk v. Birkhart Globistics, 02-CV-1168 (E.D. Va. Feb. 14, 2012), after a jury found…

False Country of Origin Certifications – A Reminder

?

The Buy America Act (BAA) is a domestic preference statute that attempts to protect the U.S. labor force by providing a preference for American goods purchased by the government.  A contractor’s “nationality” is not considered – it is the place where the goods are mined, produced or manufactured that controls whether or not they are considered “American” goods.  Most government…

A Stitch in Time Saves $18.7 Million in Criminal Fines – A Primer for Criminal Enforcement of False Claims Act Cases

The elements of a criminal false claims act case are substantially similar to the elements of a civil false claims act case: generally the knowing submission of a materially false or fraudulent claim for money or property to the government.  So, what prompts the Federal Government to pursue a criminal false claims act case in addition to a civil one? Although the Department of Justice…

Contractors ignoring the SCA and misusing the 8(a) program beware …

On July 25, 2011, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the plaintiffs in a qui tam action brought against The Kane Company (“the Company”) under the False Claims Act (“FCA”) could proceed with their suit, holding they had adequately stated a claim under the FCA and for fraud. 

United States ex rel. Anthony Head v. Kane Co., No. 05-317 (D.D.C. July 25,…

New “Performance and Integrity” Database to Impose Additional Reporting Requirements on Government Contractors

A proposed regulation would amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require government contract offerors with over $10 million in federal grants and contracts to provide information relating to criminal convictions, civil judgments and administrative proceedings directly into a new information system maintained by the government.

Under §872 of the 2009 Defense Authorization Act, the…

Violation of Price Reduction Clause Leads to Record Settlement by GSA Contractor

NetApp (formerly Network Appliance) has agreed to pay $128 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §3729 et seq., by failing to offer the Government its best commercial pricing in violation of the terms of its General Services Administration (GSA) schedule contracts. The settlement was finalized April 15, 2009.

The contract’s price reduction…

DoJ Presses for More Tools to Fight Contract Fraud in Wake of Recession, Stimulus

The Obama Administration’s push for quick returns on the economic stimulus may have an adverse effect: more fraud. 

In the rush to improve access to credit and stimulate the economy, taxpayer monies may be used to fund contracts awarded without meaningful competition and performed without effective oversight.  Contract integrity often suffers in such “emergency” situations –…

Congress Amending the False Claims Act to Redress the Impact of the Supreme Court\'s Ruling in Allison Engine

The Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 (FERA), (for more information), proposes significant changes to federal criminal law, including amending the  False Claims Act (FCA) to clarify that Congress’ “original intent” was to extend the Act to any false or fraudulent claim for government money or property, whether or not the claim is presented to a government official or…

 

© 2024 Jackson Kelly PLLC. All Rights Reserved.