When a CID Arrives, the Real Risk Often Starts After You Open It For many federal government contractors, the shock is not just that a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) showed up. The bigger shock is how quickly well‑intentioned reactions inside the company can make the situation harder, more expensive, and… Read more »
Government contractors operating in the United States can lawfully employ foreign nationals in some circumstances, but the legal risk rises sharply when immigration compliance, labor practices, security restrictions, set-aside rules, billing representations, and procurement certifications do not line up. For executives facing a subpoena, CID, suspension threat, indictment, or federal… Read more »
A False Claims Act investigation is not only a liability event. For a government contractor, it is a financial stress test. Once DOJ starts measuring exposure, the conversation often moves quickly from “what happened” to “how many claims were submitted, what was paid, what can be trebled, and how many… Read more »
A Civil Investigative Demand (CID) or subpoena served on a government contractor is not a routine records request. It is often the first visible sign that DOJ, DCIS, SBA OIG, or Army CID believes there may be fraud, false claims, false certifications, small business program abuse, defective pricing, billing misconduct,… Read more »
Theodore Watson, Esq. You believe that you built your business the right way. You got certified. You competed for contracts following the rules. You performed and even received excellent past performance. Then, one day, an alarming letter arrives from the Department of Justice. Or the SBA Office of Inspector General… Read more »
Federal prosecutors continue to aggressively target defense contractors, suppliers, and small businesses involved in government contracting. From bid-rigging to false certifications, the DOJ’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force, the FBI, and agency Inspectors General are scrutinizing every stage of the bidding and award process. A recent DOJ case involving the owner… Read more »
For service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs), holding a federal contract is a privilege—but it comes with heavy scrutiny. What happens when your SDVOSB status is challenged not just in a bid protest, but during a False Claims Act investigation or even a criminal indictment for SDVOSB fraud? That’s not a… Read more »
A Turning Point in Federal Fraud Law The 2023 Supreme Court decision in United States ex rel. Schutte & Proctor v. SuperValu Inc. changed how courts assess fraud under the False Claims Act (FCA). This landmark case redefined the scienter element—what it means to act “knowingly”—in cases where businesses are accused… Read more »
According to the Federal News Network “Nearly 40% of the federal cancelled contracts that President Donald Trump’s administration claims to have canceled as part of its signature cost-cutting program aren’t expected to save the government any money, the administration’s own data shows.” The Department of Government Efficiency, run by Trump adviser… Read more »
In today’s environment, you can be a federal government contractor working on a federal contract or a healthcare provider managing a busy practice, when you receive subpoena duces tecum from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or Office of Inspector General (OIG) lands on your desk…. Read more »