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Seventh Circuit Applies Offsets to FCA Damages Before Trebling

Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.22.13

In U.S. v. Anchor Mortgage Corp. (7th Cir. Mar. 21, 2013), Chief Judge Easterbrook held that, in calculating the damages to be trebled under the FCA, courts must use a "contract measure of loss" approach that would take into account any offsets for value or payments received by the government prior to trebling. The court read the Supreme Court's decision in U.S. v. Bornstein to require third-party payments to be subtracted after multiplying the damages only when such payments are not part of a "contract measure of loss" calculation, a limitation that could significantly reduce FCA damages in many contexts.


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Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.20.26

SCOTUS Holds IEEPA Tariffs Unlawful

On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a pivotal ruling in Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, negating the President’s ability to impose tariffs under IEEPA. The case stemmed from President Trump’s invocation of IEEPA to levy tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, China, and other countries, citing national emergencies. Challengers argued—and the Court agreed—that IEEPA does not delegate tariff authority to the President. The power to tariff is vested in Congress by the Constitution and cannot be delegated to the President absent express authority from Congress....