Tagged: Settlement

DOJ Announces First Settlement Under New Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative

In October 2021, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced its new Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, led by the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, to enhance its ongoing efforts to address cybersecurity threats.  The initiative utilizes the False Claims Act (“FCA”) to prosecute cybersecurity fraud by federal contractors and grant recipients who put government information or systems at risk through deficient cybersecurity standards.  Cybersecurity risks that the initiative...

Northern District of Texas Refuses to Enforce Purported Pre-Filing Qui Tam Claim Release on Public Policy Grounds

On April 30, 2021, a Northern District of Texas judge denied a motion to dismiss an FCA qui tam action alleging “a fraudulent scheme to obtain Government subcontracting opportunities reserved for eligible small businesses under the Small Business Act.” United States ex rel. Haight v. RRSA (Commer. Div), LLC, 3:16-CV-1975-S, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82894, at *1-4 (N.D. Tex. Apr. 30, 2021). In the complaint,...