Ten Ways Government Contractors Accidentally Make Their Case Worse After Receiving a Civil Investigative Demand (CID)
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 »
Hiring Foreign Workers in Government Contracts: Compliance, Fraud Risk, and Defense Strategies
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 »
HUBZone Fraud Defense: Protecting Your Business When the SBA Challenges Your Eligibility
A HUBZone problem rarely begins with the words “fraud investigation.” It usually starts with something smaller: an SBA program examination, a certification review, a competitor protest, an employee residency question, a principal office challenge, or a request for records that seems simple enough to answer. Then the issue expands. What… Read more »
How to Respond to a Government Investigation Without Making It Worse
A government investigation can become much more dangerous when a company reacts too quickly, destroys or alters records, allows unmanaged employee communications, or tries to “cooperate” without a legal strategy.The right response is disciplined, documented, and directed by counsel so the business can protect its legal position while dealing credibly… Read more »
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Fraud: Criminal Exposure and Defense Strategies
Federal SDVOSB fraud investigations can escalate quickly from an SBA or VA eligibility issue into a parallel criminal and civil enforcement matter involving the Department of Justice, the False Claims Act, and false-statement charges. Companies and veteran owners accused of SDVOSB misconduct need a defense strategy that addresses procurement rules,… Read more »
False Claims Act Penalties for Government Contractors in 2026
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 »
What Happens When a Government Contractor Gets a CID or Subpoena? First 24 Hours
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 »
Federal Healthcare Fraud Defense: What Physicians and Healthcare Companies Need to Know About DOJ’s 2026 Enforcement Priorities
The government is not scaling back its healthcare fraud enforcement in 2026. It is accelerating — with better technology, more funding, and a new organizational structure built specifically to pursue you. In June 2025, DOJ announced the largest National Health Care Fraud Takedown in its history: 324 defendants charged, including… Read more »
SBA 8(a) Program and HUBZone Program Fraud: What Happens When the Government Accuses You of Misrepresenting Your Status?
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 »
