• CSC tag_orngBlu
  • Conference
      • About
        • About the Conference
        • Floor Plan / Sponsor List
        • Sponsors
        • FAQ
        • Contact Us
        • Health & Safety
      • Hotel & Travel
        • Hotel Accomodations
        • Travel Information
      • Attend
        • Why Attend?
        • Registration & Pricing
        • Agenda At-A-Glance
        • Conference Schedule
        • MCLE Accreditation
        • Speakers
        • Speaker Resources
      • Sponsor
        • Why Sponsor?
        • Sponsor / Inquire
        • Sponsor Resource Center
        • Sponsorship & Advertising
  • News
    • Latest News
  • Subscribe
    • Newsletter Signup
  • .
  • Logo
  • Conference
    • [Column]
      • About
        • About the Conference
        • Floor Plan / Sponsor List
        • Sponsors
        • FAQ
        • Contact Us
        • Health & Safety
      • Hotel & Travel
        • Hotel Accomodations
        • Travel Information
    • [Column]
      • Attend
        • Why Attend?
        • Registration & Pricing
        • Agenda At-A-Glance
        • Conference Schedule
        • MCLE Accreditation
        • Speakers
        • Speaker Resources
    • [Column]
      • Sponsor
        • Why Sponsor?
        • Sponsor / Inquire
        • Sponsor Resource Center
        • Sponsorship & Advertising
    • [Column]
      • [Custom]
  • News
    • Latest News
  • Subscribe
    • Newsletter Signup
  • .

December 9-11, 2025
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, FL

Register Sponsor
Q

Latest News

April 27, 2018

The False Claim Act Protects the Government from Fraudulent Billing and Certifications

Latest News
Economic Forecasts | Ethics and Compliance | Infrastructure and Transportation | Insurance and Surety | Latest News | Litigation Strategies/Dispute Resolution | News | Risk & Contract Management | Workforce and Labor
April 27, 2018

The False Claim Act Protects the Government from Fraudulent Billing and Certifications

Individuals can file suit on behalf of the government under the Act.

The False Claim Act (FCA) is designed to protect the federal government from fraudulent practices by government contractors. The Attorney General can file suit against contractors who falsify their billings or their certifications.

Matthew DeVries, in an article in BEST PRACTICES CONSTRUCTION LAW, explains that private citizens can also file suit under the Act on behalf of the government.

Jesse Sloan, an employee of Waukegan Steel, LLC, a subcontractor on a federal project, filed suit under a provision in the Act “called a qui tam provision, which permits a private party to bring a civil action alleging fraud against the Government on its own behalf as well as on behalf of the United States … If the private party prevails, he receives a percentage of the recovery.”

This was the case in U.S. ex rel. Jesse Sloan v. Waukegan Steel, LLC., No. 1: 2015cv00458, Document 32 (N.D. Ill.2018) Feb. 28, 2018.

Waukegan was a steel fabricating and installation subcontractor. It was required to submit documentation that its product conformed to AISC, ASTM, and AWS codes that set standards for the steel industry. “The subcontractor was required to submit ‘fabrication quality control and weld inspection certificates’” to the government before payment was issued. According to one of its employees, Waukegan did not have any of these certificates.”

The employee claimed the owner of the company asked him to “fabricate to the inspection certificates.” He refused. The owner then, allegedly, had another employee falsify the required documents.

To prove a FCA fraud allegation “a plaintiff must prove that (1) the defendant made a statement in order to receive money from the government, (2) the statement was false, (3) the defendant knew it was false, and (4) the statement was material to the decision to pay or approve the false claim.”

Sloan met this burden.

Mr. DeVries notes that “the Court in Sloan rejected every defense raised by Waukegan and allowed the case to go forward.”

It appears Sloan’s allegations were legitimate. But the case serves as a reminder to contractors that they should protect themselves from spurious claims by keeping accurate, detailed records for each project.

Source—

In Construction, There’s A Tattletale and There’s What is Right, Matthew DeVries, BEST PRACTICES CONSTRUCTION LAW, March 5, 2018.

Economic Forecasts•Ethics and Compliance•Infrastructure and Transportation•Insurance and Surety•Latest News•Litigation Strategies/Dispute Resolution•News•Risk & Contract Management•Workforce and Labor

SHARE

Share on Email
Share on Linkedin
Share on Facebook
Share on Pinterest
Share on Twitter
← Previous Article Next Article →
Latest News Latest NewsNews

AGC Addresses Construction Labor Shortages in Statement to Congress

AGC backs legislation to establish a visa program to provide a lawful pathway for people to enter the construction industry.

Latest News Latest NewsNews

Using AI to Accelerate Permitting: Good News?

The California city of Lancaster will be using AI to optimize the permitting process. Is it a welcome development?

Latest News Latest NewsNews

AGC Addresses Construction Labor Shortages in Statement to Congress

AGC backs legislation to establish a visa program to provide a lawful pathway for people to enter the construction industry.

Latest News Latest NewsNews

Session Preview – Best Practices for Joint Ventures

CSC is only two months away and joint ventures are on the docket when the conference begins on Dec. 9 in Florida.

Latest News Latest NewsNews

AGC: “Extreme” Price Hikes for Steel and Aluminum

“The huge increases in steel and aluminum tariffs appears to have enabled domestic producers to push up their selling prices,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.

Latest News Latest NewsNews

NYC Attorney Confirms: Defects on the Rise

Carol A. Sigmond, partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP, is seeing a trend; construction defects are on the rise.

Latest News Latest NewsNews

Pricing Risk in Construction – CSC Session Preview

How do you factor in risk from tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and political unrest? CSC will tackle it all.

Latest News Latest NewsNews

Tariffs Drive Up Prices On Key Construction Materials

Steep tariff increases on aluminum and steel, along with a recent tariff on raw copper, drove the producer price index.

SHOW INFORMATION

SIGN UP

Register now for the opportunity to connect with thousands of atttendees and vendors

Register
Sponsor / Inquire
FOLLOW US ON
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Emerald Logo
© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All Rights Reserved
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSEVENT STANDARDS OF CONDUCTYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY