Fraud & False Claims Act

Steptoe has substantial experience responding to False Claims Act (FCA) allegations asserted by the US government or private whistleblower (qui tam) plaintiffs. This experience includes assisting clients in government investigations and audits of alleged false claims and other procurement fraud, representing clients in pre-intervention settlement discussions with the US Department of Justice, and defending clients in litigation against FCA claims. Our experience also includes conducting internal investigations on suspected FCA violations and counseling our clients in evaluating and making disclosures under the FAR’s Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct regulations at FAR Subpart 3.10 and FAR clause 52.203-13.

Steptoe has achieved substantial success on behalf of its clients in resolving or settling FCA matters without litigation. Where matters cannot be resolved through settlement, Steptoe is equipped to vigorously litigate FCA claims on behalf of our clients. In defending our clients against FCA allegations, our government contracts practice also works with Steptoe’s premier white-collar criminal defense practice, combining Steptoe’s deep knowledge of government contracts law with a team of lawyers with extensive trial experience, including many former federal prosecutors.