Eagle Alliance, a partnership involving Northrop Grumman, has paid $110 thousand to resolve FCA (False Claims Act) allegations that it improperly billed the Government for computer hardware. In doing so, the Company did not admit liability - the settlement only resolved some outstanding allegations.
Eagle Alliance had (has?) a contract to provide new computer hardware to NSA (National Security Agency). According to the settlement agreement, in 2012 and 2013, Eagle Alliance billed the Government twice for the same equipment. Moreover, investigations alleged that Eagle Alliance had billed the Government for used computer equipment as if they were new.
These allegations were filed by a former Eagle Alliance employee under the qui tam (whistleblower) provisions of the FCA. Those provisions permit private individuals with knowledge of fraud to sue on behalf of the Government for false claims and share in any recoveries. The former employee will receive nearly $19 thousand of the settlement.
As fraud cases go, this is a very small one and it seems to us like it was a billing issue rather than a scheme to defraud the Government. After all, no individual person benefited, it didn't go on for years and years, and what is $110 thousand to Northrop Grumman?
This case does illustrate the importance of maintaining an adequate billing system, especially for companies in the Government contracting environment. It also illustrates that fact that employees are aware of the qui tam provisions of the FCA and are constantly looking for transgressions that can yield a bit payday for themselves.
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