In a significant and unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court held that reimbursement requests submitted to the E-Rate program qualify as “claims” under the False Claims Act (FCA) if any portion of the funds involved originates from the U.S. Treasury. The decision in Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath is poised to have far-reaching implications for entities that receive federal funds through intermediaries, heightening litigation and raising the stakes for FCA compliance.Continue Reading Decision Alert: Supreme Court Broadens False Claims Act Reach To E-Rate Reimbursement Requests
Supreme Court Tackles Post-Employment Disability Discrimination
Stanley v. City of Sanford raises significant questions about the scope of protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals after employment.Continue Reading Supreme Court Tackles Post-Employment Disability Discrimination
Hypotheticals and Humor: The Supreme Court Explores Wire Fraud’s Proof Boundaries
What do a horse named Charlie, a painting of Grover Cleveland, $1 million worth of coal, and hiring a babysitter have in common? All were the subject of hypothetical scenarios raised during the December 9, 2024, oral argument in Kousisis v. United States. The question before the Court is whether conspiring to commit wire fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, requires proof of harm to a property interest in the form of financial loss.Continue Reading Hypotheticals and Humor: The Supreme Court Explores Wire Fraud’s Proof Boundaries
Supreme Court Scrutinizes Definitions To Determine Scope of False Claims Act
In Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States, ex rel. Todd Heath, another case testing the limits of the False Claims Act (FCA), the question presented is whether requests for money from the FCC’s E-rate program are “claims” under the False Claims Act (FCA).Continue Reading Supreme Court Scrutinizes Definitions To Determine Scope of False Claims Act