Reasonable Interpretations of Statutes May Prevent Liability Under the False Claims Act
As a recent case from the District of Columbia Circuit demonstrates, the knowledge requirement of the False Claims Act (FCA) often creates the largest impediment for those looking to hold defendants liable for their false certifications to the government. In United States ex. rel. Purcell v. MWI Corp., No. 14-5210, 2015 WL 7597536 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 24, 2015), the United States brought a civil action under the FCA against MWI Corporation. The government alleged that MWI made false certifications to the Export-Import Bank to secure loans for financing the sale of water pumps to Nigeria. Under the terms [...]Read more