October 13, 2020
The False Claims Act (FCA) is well-known as one of the most powerful tools in the government’s arsenal to combat fraud, waste and abuse anywhere government funds are implicated. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued statements and guidance under the Trump Administration that has effectuated changes in DOJ’s approach to FCA cases. But at the same time, newly filed FCA cases remain at historical peak levels and the DOJ has enjoyed ten straight years of nearly $3 billion or more in annual FCA recoveries. The government has also made clear that it intends vigorously to pursue any fraud, waste and abuse in connection with COVID-related stimulus funds. As much as ever, any company that deals in government funds—especially in the government contracting sector—needs to stay abreast of how the government and private whistleblowers alike are wielding this tool, and how they can prepare and defend themselves.
Please join us to discuss developments in the FCA, including:
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PANELISTS:
Jonathan M. Phillips is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office where he focuses on compliance, enforcement, and litigation in the health care and government contracting fields, as well as other white collar enforcement matters and related litigation. A former Trial Attorney in DOJ’s Civil Fraud section, he has particular experience representing clients in enforcement actions by the DOJ, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Defense brought under the False Claims Act and related statutes.
Erin N. Rankin is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office. She has extensive experience litigating government contract disputes and advising clients on FAR and DFARS compliance, with a particular focus on cost and pricing issues. Ms. Rankin also assists clients with all types of legal questions and disputes that arise in the creation, performance, and closing out of government contracts. She defends clients against False Claims Act allegations, negotiates and drafts subcontracts, conducts internal investigations, navigates disputes between prime and subcontractors, and represents clients in mandatory disclosures and suspension and debarment proceedings.
Andrew Tulumello is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office. He has represented several government contractors in investigations, suits, and trials (both by qui tam relators and the Department of Justice) under the False Claims Act involving federal contracts worth billions of dollars, including representing a leading defense contractor in 10(b) and derivative litigation following a $500 million deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice. He was profiled by The National Law Journal in recognizing Gibson Dunn’s Washington. D.C. office as the Litigation Department of the Year, in The National Law Journal’s 2017 Appellate Hot List, and by Bloomberg BNA (“Deflategate Lawyer Heads to High Court in Securities Case”).
James Zelenay is a partner in the Los Angeles office where he practices in the firm’s Litigation Department. He is experienced in defending clients involved in white collar investigations, assisting clients in responding to government subpoenas, and in government civil fraud litigation. He also has substantial experience with the federal and state False Claims Acts and whistleblower litigation, in which he has represented a breadth of industries and clients, and has written extensively on the False Claims Act.