An appeals court has tossed a False Claims Act case against Verizon Communications Inc., ruling that the suit is barred by an earlier case in which the same whistleblower netted a big settlement. The ruling follows an oral argument that piqued the interest of business lobbying group the U.S. Chamber of Chamber.
In a 24-page decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit dismissed claims that Verizon overcharged the government for telecommunications services in violation of the FCA (more explanation here: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/April/11-civ-428.html). The court ruled that the case is prohibited under the FCA’s first-to-file rule, which bars suits that recycle facts and allegations from an earlier suit.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
