government contracts fraud attorney Tag Archives

November 23, 2015

As the Holidays Approach, Defense Contractor Settles Suit Alleging It Overcharged for Produce

As we prepare for our upcoming holiday feasts, our thoughts go out to those who are serving our country and are unable to be with their families for the holidays. We give thanks to them and to their families and hope they all get to enjoy a special meal wherever they may be. In an ironic twist, one of the latest settlements in the government contracts fraud arena involves a company that agreed to supply produce to our servicepersons. The allegations are yet another reminder of the very real impact of government fraud, which takes money from taxpayer-funded coffers and, in the case of defense contract fraud, depletes funds needed for our nation’s defense and the protection of those who serve. We believe those who blow the whistle on government fraud are, like the men and women in the military, true Americans and our defense contract fraud law firm is proud to help.

DOJ Alleges California Company Overcharged for Produce, Violated Defense Contract, and Obstructed Investigation

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that Coast Produce Company (“Coast”), a California company, agreed to pay $4 million to resolve contract fraud allegations. The settlement applies to both civil and criminal lawsuits alleging False Claims Act (“FCA”) violations and claims Coast obstructed a federal investigation. Coast also agreed to institute measures to ensure future compliance. It is important to note that Coast did not admit wrongdoing and the claims in the various suits remain allegations only.

October 19, 2015

Spotlight on Government Contracts Fraud: The Danger of Overcharging and Other Frauds Involving Military Contracts

by Gregory J. Brod

We are lucky to live in a nation where men and women are willing to put their lives on the line, forming a volunteer military that protects our country and its people. In turn, we all must help support this military and help keep them safe. This is why our firm is taking part in the fight against defense contractor fraud. A number of well-publicized aviation tragedies makes a case involving a major aircraft manufacturer particularly concerning, even if the allegations are focused on military planes and allege overbilling rather than underperforming. Tolerating one form of fraud almost ensures other cases will follow, possibly including companies taking dangerous shortcuts. It is more important than ever for private citizens come forward and partner with experts like our defense contracts fraud lawyer to fight government fraud in all forms — there is often far more than just money at stake.

Aircraft Manufacturer Pays $18 Million to Settle Claims of Overcharging on Defense Contracts

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a press release announcing that The Boeing

September 14, 2015

Who Brings Government Fraud Whistleblower Claims?

by Gregory J. Brod

We frequently write about healthcare fraud and other forms of government contract fraud. We cannot overemphasize the role that whistleblowers play in prosecuting these cases. According to the Justice Department, nearly $3 billion of the $5.69 billion recovered through settlements and judgments in civil False Claims Act (“FCA”) litigation in Fiscal Year 2014 stemmed from qui tam lawsuits filed by private whistleblowers. Who are these whistleblowers? In some cases, they are high-ranking executives in companies that committed fraud. However, whistleblowers can also be “rank and file” employees, the “everyday” workers who form the majority of any large operation, or even company outsiders. Our law firm for government fraud whistleblowers works with people from all ranks of society who take step forward and join the fight against fraud.

Settlement In Suit Brought By Medical Technician

Last month, the Sacramento Bee reported that Quest Diagnostics agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle Medicare fraud claims. According to the allegations, Quest submitted duplicate claims for Medicare reimbursement for the same test performed on a single day and a single patient. A Quest spokesperson suggested IT issues caused rare cases of duplicate payments impacting a “miniscule percentage” of the company’s annual Medicare claims and said Quest is updating its billing systems to prevent a recurrence.

June 29, 2015

Spotlight on Government Contracts Fraud: The Threat of Government Set-Aside Fraud

by Gregory J. Brod

It shouldn’t surprise us anymore, but it’s the type of fraud that surprises anyone who believes in supporting the American dream. We’ve seen it before and, sadly, we know we’ll see it again – people taking advantage of programs intended to help small businesses succeed, especially businesses run by our country’s veterans and/or historically disadvantaged groups. We take solace in the people we work with, those who step forward and say, “This isn’t right.” As a law firm for whistleblowers in defense contract fraud cases, we rely on honest individuals to help us fight government set-aside fraud and we are committed to protecting their interests, including ensuring they receive due compensation if their time, effort, and information leads to the recovery of government funds.

Four Charged With SBA Fraud

Last week, the Justice Department announced an indictment formally charging four individuals with defrauding Small Business Administration grant programs to obtain $24 million in unlawful profits. The SBA operates programs that help businesses owned and controlled by disabled veterans and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals compete for government contracts. In order to qualify, the business must be unconditionally owned and controlled by a qualified individual.

May 18, 2015

When Competitors Collaborate and Costs Rise: Government Contract Fraud Attorney on Bid Rigging

by Gregory J. Brod

In many ways, government procurement contracts are similar to procurement agreements in the private sphere. The basic elements of all contracts are the same, an offer and acceptance made between two or more competent parties for a legal purpose that creates obligations for both parties (e.g. payment for and the provision of goods/services). However, the government contract system is much more controlled than the private contracting sphere. The government contract bidding process is complex, highly-regulated process that relies upon companies filing honest, competitive offers to fill a given need. Bid rigging is a violation of government trust and a form of government contract fraud. As a bid rigging whistleblowers’ law firm, the Brod Law Firm partners with individuals who see this fraud happen and step forward to report it. When fraud occurs in the private sphere, the companies involved can suffer. When fraud occurs in the government contracting arena, the trust of every American is violated and every taxpayer suffers.

Bid Rigging: Overview and Forms

A useful explanation of bid rigging can be found in a Department of Justice contract2 (“DOJ”) primer written to help people identify various forms of collusion among prospective government contractors. As the primer explains, at a broad level, bid rigging involves competitors conspiring to raise the price of goods/services being purchased by the government. Bid rigging occurs when competitors agree who will submit the best offer during the bidding process, agreements that eliminate/limit true competition. In some cases, the collusion involves some, not all, of the bidders for a given project. Although the primer focuses on antitrust matters, bid rigging can also be a violation of the False Claims Act.