On February 17, 2021, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Brian Boynton, Acting Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, provided opening remarks at the Federal Bar Association’s annual Qui Tam Conference. Both emphasized the key role of the FCA in combating fraud against the Government, and noted an anticipated increase in FCA enforcement actions in the coming years, particularly related to the Government’s pandemic response. In addition, Senator Grassley offered a preview of potential legislative changes to the False Claims Act, and Boynton outlined DOJ’s enforcement priorities for the coming year.

Senator Grassley Signals Potential Legislative Changes to the FCA

 In his prepared remarks, Senator Grassley, an architect of the 1986 and 2009 amendments to the False Claims Act, signaled that changes to the False Claims Act may be on the horizon. He confirmed that he is drafting legislation to overturn what he described as attempts by the courts and the DOJ to “undermine the law as written.” Senator Grassley highlighted two areas of focus for potential legislative action, both of which would benefit qui tam relators.

First, Senator Grassley indicated a potential change to the materiality standard under the FCA. During a Q&A session, he acknowledged that materiality is “very, very important” and necessary to “prevent parasitic lawsuits.” Yet, while not referencing the case directly, Senator Grassley took aim at the Supreme Court’s 2016 decision in Escobar and its progeny, stating that courts have “read into the law a more stringent materiality standard than was originally intended” over the past several years. In particular, Senator Grassley stated that he wants to ensure that courts cannot dismiss cases on materiality grounds “just because somebody working in the government is aware of [the non-compliance or falsity of the claim] and continues to pay.” Although he did not provide any detail on proposed amendments to the materiality standard, Senator Grassley’s view appears directed at the Supreme Court’s opinion in Escobar, which explained that the Government’s “pay[ment] of a particular claim in full despite its actual knowledge that certain requirements were violated” is “very strong evidence that those requirements are not material.” Since Escobar, courts in a variety of circuits have dismissed FCA claims based, in part, on the Government’s continued payment after notification that certain requirements were violated.

Second, Senator Grassley criticized DOJ’s interpretation of its authority to dismiss qui tam suits. Following the issuance of the 2018 Granston Memo, the number of non-intervened qui tam cases that DOJ has sought to dismiss has increased from prior years (though the number of such dismissals relative to qui tam suits filed remains very low). Senator Grassley suggested that DOJ has dismissed cases under an “incorrect interpretation” of the FCA that it has “unfettered” discretion to dismiss qui tam cases. While acknowledging that the DOJ is within its rights to seek dismissal if a case “lacks merit,” Senator Grassley suggested that potential new legislation would impose a higher standard on DOJ when seeking dismissals of qui tam lawsuits. Without providing specifics, Senator Grassley asserted the Attorney General should have to “provide evidence in a court of law” and “state legitimate reasons for deciding not to pursue” qui tam claims.

Senator Grassley noted that he intended to include language making any legislative changes to the FCA retroactive so as to ensure coverage of pending cases and cases on appeal, consistent with the approach used in the 2009 amendments to the Act.

There is, however, one aspect of the FCA that Senator Grassley made clear he does not intend to change. During a Q&A session following his opening remarks, Senator Grassley was asked for his opinion on the addition of language to limit FCA penalties to ensure they are not disproportionate or excessive. He rejected this notion, stating he does not want to “change those [penalties] at all,” and remarking that the Government must “come down with a sledgehammer, not a toothpick” in response to fraud.

Boynton Highlights DOJ’s FCA Enforcement Priorities

 In his prepared remarks, Boynton outlined six priority areas for the Civil Division’s FCA enforcement in the coming year. First, unsurprisingly, fraud relating to the government’s pandemic response is expected to be a key priority in the coming year. Boynton noted that DOJ recently obtained its first FCA settlement for fraud on the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program, and that more will undoubtedly follow. Boynton expects that the government’s significant pandemic spending will translate to significant cases and recoveries in the coming years.

In addition to fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Boynton highlighted the following enforcement priorities: fraud related to the opioid crisis; fraud directed toward senior citizens, particularly schemes to provide poor or unnecessary health care to seniors; fraud relating to electronic health records; fraud relating to telehealth schemes; and cybersecurity-related fraud.

Boynton’s comments on the latter category are consistent with December 2020 remarks from Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston, in which he specifically identified “cybersecurity related fraud” as an “area where we could see enhanced False Claims Act activity.” We recently analyzed the efforts of the Government and qui tam relators to use the FCA to enforce alleged cybersecurity noncompliance.

Boynton also discussed the Civil Division’s increased use of sophisticated data analytics to identify fraudulent schemes and analyze qui tam claims. These techniques have largely been used in the health care context to date (e.g., through analysis of Medicare data). But Boynton expects the Civil Division’s use of data analytics to expand to combat other types of fraud, including misconduct related to the pandemic response.

Tags: False Claims Act, FCA, Grassley, Qui Tam Conference
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Photo of Terra White Fulham Terra White Fulham

Terra Fulham represents corporate and individual clients in complex litigations and investigations, with particular expertise in defending government contractors against allegations of fraud and False Claims Act violations. She has experience representing clients at all stages of internal and government investigations, including conducting…

Terra Fulham represents corporate and individual clients in complex litigations and investigations, with particular expertise in defending government contractors against allegations of fraud and False Claims Act violations. She has experience representing clients at all stages of internal and government investigations, including conducting witness interviews, managing government subpoena and CID responses, defending witnesses in government interviews, and advocating before government enforcement officials. She has litigated qui tam matters brought under the False Claims Act, including matters alleging subcontractor fraud, quality assurance deficiencies, conflicts of interest, and cost mischarging. Terra also has experience with suspension and debarment matters, representing entities in such proceedings to ensure their continued eligibility to participate in federal programs.

She has also represented clients in a variety of litigation matters during motions practice, discovery, and final hearings.

Terra also maintains an active pro bono practice, with an emphasis on immigration-related impact litigation.

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Photo of Michael Wagner Michael Wagner

Mike Wagner represents companies and individuals in complex compliance and enforcement matters arising in the public procurement context. Combining deep regulatory expertise and extensive investigations experience, Mike helps government contractors navigate detailed procurement rules and achieve the efficient resolution of government investigations and…

Mike Wagner represents companies and individuals in complex compliance and enforcement matters arising in the public procurement context. Combining deep regulatory expertise and extensive investigations experience, Mike helps government contractors navigate detailed procurement rules and achieve the efficient resolution of government investigations and enforcement actions.

Mike regularly represents contractors in federal and state compliance and enforcement matters relating to a range of procurement laws and regulations. He has particular experience handling investigations and litigation brought under the civil False Claims Act, and he routinely counsels government contractors on mandatory and voluntary disclosure considerations under the FAR, DFARS, and related regulatory regimes. He also represents contractors in high-stakes suspension and debarment matters at the federal and state levels, and he has served as Co-Chair of the ABA Suspension & Debarment Committee and is principal editor of the American Bar Association’s Practitioner’s Guide to Suspension & Debarment (4th ed.) (2018).

Mike also has extensive experience representing companies pursuing and negotiating grants, cooperative agreements, and Other Transaction Authority agreements (OTAs). In this regard, he has particular familiarity with the semiconductor and clean energy industries, and he has devoted substantial time in recent years to advising clients on strategic considerations for pursuing opportunities under the CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

In his counseling practice, Mike regularly advises government contractors and suppliers on best practices for managing the rapidly-evolving array of cybersecurity and supply chain security rules and requirements. In particular, he helps companies assess and navigate domestic preference and country-of-origin requirements under the Buy American Act (BAA), Trade Agreements Act (TAA), Berry Amendment, and DOD Specialty Metals regulation. He also assists clients in managing product and information security considerations related to overseas manufacture and development of Information and Communication Technologies & Services (ICTS).

Mike serves on Covington’s Hiring Committee and is Co-Chair of the firm’s Summer Associate Program. He is a frequent writer and speaker on issues relating to procurement fraud and contractor responsibility, and he has served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School.

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Photo of Peter B. Hutt II Peter B. Hutt II

Peter Hutt represents government contractors in a range of complex investigation, litigation, and compliance matters, including False Claims Act and fraud investigations and litigation, compliance with accounting, cost, and pricing requirements, and contract claims and disputes.

Peter has litigated more than 25 qui…

Peter Hutt represents government contractors in a range of complex investigation, litigation, and compliance matters, including False Claims Act and fraud investigations and litigation, compliance with accounting, cost, and pricing requirements, and contract claims and disputes.

Peter has litigated more than 25 qui tam matters brought under the False Claims Act, including matters alleging cost mischarging, CAS violations, quality assurance deficiencies, substandard products, defective pricing, Iraqi procurement fraud, health care fraud, and inadequate subcontractor oversight. He has testified before Congress concerning proposed amendments to the False Claims Act.

Peter has also conducted numerous internal investigations and frequently advises clients on whether to make disclosures of potential wrongdoing.

Peter also represents clients in a wide range of accounting, cost, and pricing matters, as well as other contract and grant matters. He is experienced in addressing issues concerning pensions and post-retirement benefits, contract formation, TINA and defective pricing, claims and terminations, contract financing, price reduction clauses, subcontracting and supply chain compliance, specialty metals compliance, and small business and DBE compliance. He has litigated significant cost, accounting, and contract breach matters in the Court of Federal Claims and the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.

Peter is recognized for his work both in government contracts and in False Claims Act disputes by Chambers USA, which notes that “He is absolutely outstanding. He is thoughtful and client-focused.” Chambers also notes that “Peter’s judgment and problem solving ability is unique. He is a very good False Claims Act lawyer.”

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