DoD Issues Final Rule on Allowability of Whistleblower Costs
Client Alert | 1 min read | 07.28.14
On July 25, DoD, GSA, and NASA issued a final rule addressing the allowability of legal costs of a contractor or subcontractor related to whistleblower proceedings. The new rule amends FAR 31.205-47 to make such costs unallowable if the contractor is found liable for fraud or similar misconduct in the whistleblower proceeding, but also gives the same treatment of costs for settled whistleblower complaints as is currently provided for settlement of proceedings brought by a third party under the False Claims Act in which the United States does not intervene (i.e., costs may be allowable if there was very little likelihood that the whistleblower would have been successful).
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Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.” Uhlmann repeated this statement during a luncheon on April 23, 2024, while also emphasizing the new level of energy this collaborative effort has brought to the enforcement programs.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 04.25.24
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.24.24
Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.24.24
FTC Continues Focus on Tracking Technologies and Personal Health Data
