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Understanding the False Claims Act Risks Facing U.S. Importers

Webinar | 06.11.19, 8:00 AM EDT - 9:00 AM EDT

In recent years, there has been a steady rise in the number of lawsuits brought under the False Claims Act (FCA) alleging that importers have concealed obligations to pay duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The increase in the number of qui tam suits filed by whistleblowers, combined with the current administration’s protectionist policies, suggests that U.S. importers could face increased FCA risks for years to come. 


This webinar will provide an overview of the FCA and the “reverse false claim” theory of liability that applies in duty evasion cases where an importer is alleged to have made false statements about tariff classification, country of origin, or the value of goods. The presenters will analyze recent enforcement trends, discuss considerations for responding to a government FCA investigation, and share practical steps that importers can take to mitigate risks.


For more information, please visit these areas: International Trade, False Claims Act Defense, Customs Fraud and the False Claims Act

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Webinar | 03.12.26

On-Going Government Audits of Small Business Programs: Why the Federal Government’s Focus on ‘Waste, Fraud, and Abuse’ Impacts Both Large and Small Contractors

The federal government has identified purported ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ in small business programs as a major focus of its current enforcement efforts. As it relates to federal procurement, we have seen audits and investigations rolled out not only of active participants in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program but also reviews of various types of small business contracts (such as 8(a) sole source and set-aside awards, preference-based awards, and small business set-aside awards over particular values). Join Crowell & Moring as we discuss what aspects of contract performance and teaming arrangements are being scrutinized (e.g., size/status eligibility, limitations on subcontracting compliance, reasonableness of market rates, etc.) and how these considerations can impact both small government contractors holding the prime contracts under review and their subcontractors. ...