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 »
Avoid This Costly Mistake and Get Government Contracting Lawyers to Help Avoid this $1.75Million Error. Theodore P. Watson, Esq. The United States Government Handed Down a Hefty $1.75 million to settle civil fraud allegations that it and its subsidiaries improperly obtained government contracts that were set-aside for small businesses. The… Read more »
Many government contractors ask the question, does indictment mean jail time. The answer is No, a federal indictment by a grand jury only starts the official process of determining whether you are guilty. A defendant may also resolve a case by pleading guilty and admitting to their crimes. But defendants… Read more »
Federal wire fraud is a serious crime for businesses, government contractors and individuals that fall under white-collar offenses. This crime involved the use of electronic communications such as faxes, phone calls or emails, to defraud the government out of money (government contracts) or something of value. The penalties for federal… Read more »
A conspiracy charge in a government contract fraud case is a complex and often misunderstood aspect of the legal system. When someone is accused of being involved in a conspiracy under federal law, it can have serious consequences. The term ‘conspiracy’ often conjures images of shadowy figures plotting secretly, but… Read more »