Federal Government Civil Litigation

EDNY & SDNY Civil Litigation with the US Government

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By: Farrell Fritz, P.C.

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Kevin P. Mulry

Latest from Federal Government Civil Litigation

Last week, in Washington v. Barr, the Second Circuit addressed a case seeking to strike down the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The Court held that plaintiffs had failed to exhaust their administrative remedies before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Rather than dismissing the case, however, the Court took the unusual step of holding the case in abeyance and retaining jurisdiction to take…
The Supreme Court today unanimously decided that a relator may take advantage of the longer ten-year statute of limitations under the False Claims Act in a case in which the United States has declined to intervene, as long as the action is brought within three years of Government knowledge of the alleged fraud.  Cochise Consultancy, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Hunt. The Timing of the Alleged Fraud, Disclosure to the Government, and the…
Earlier this week, the Department of Justice Civil Division announced guidelines for factors to consider and credit to be given in False Claims Act investigations and prosecutions. The guidelines broadly stressed three forms of conduct that may merit credit, including voluntary self-disclosure of misconduct, meaningful cooperation with an FCA investigation, and implementation of adequate and effective compliance and remedial measures. The policy is set out in Justice Manual Section 4-4.112. Disclosure, Cooperation, and Remedial Action…
The replacement of stairways at the Middletown Road Subway Station in the Bronx triggered accessibility requirements that may include installing elevators, according to a recent decision from SDNY District Judge Edgardo Ramos. In Bronx Independent Living Services v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Judge Ramos held that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and NYC Transportation Authority (NYCTA) are required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide access individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, regardless…
The Second Circuit examined the False Claims Act’s “alternate remedy” provision for the first time yesterday, holding that a fugitive who had dismissed his qui tam action was not entitled to a share of a $25.6 million FCA settlement. In United States v. L-3 Communications EOTech, Inc., the Second Circuit held that relator Milton DaSilva’s government coercion claim failed and that he could not share in the government’s recovery from L-3 Communications EOTech because he…
The Eastern District of New York filed a Safe Drinking Water Act complaint this week against the City of New York and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, seeking to require the City to cover the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, part of the City’s public water system. At the same time, the EDNY also lodged a proposed Consent Decree and Judgment with the Court that would require the City to address the cover and upgrades…
Second Circuit Judges recently traded strong language in opinions accompanying the denial of a petition for en banc review in Tanvir v. Tanzin. In Tanvir, Plaintiffs alleged that, in retaliation for their refusal to serve as informants, federal officials improperly placed or retained plaintiffs’ names on the “No Fly List” in violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Plaintiffs asserted that they rebuffed these efforts based in part on…
New York City will pay $5.3 million to the United States for fraudulently obtaining FEMA funds related to Superstorm Sandy in a False Claims Act settlement with the Southern District of New York. The City admitted improperly seeking reimbursement from FEMA for vehicles that were not damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Superstorm Sandy swept through New York in October 2012 and left extraordinary damage in its wake. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT)…
EDNY Judge Nina Gershon analyzed several False Claims Act issues in United States ex rel. Omni Healthcare Inc. v. McKesson Corp., ruling on first-to-file, Rule 9(b), and statute of limitations issues. Relator Omni Healthcare alleged that defendants improperly used “overfill” in vials of injectable drugs. “Overfill” is the amount of a drug in excess of the amount indicated on the label, typically included so the provider can withdraw a full dose from the vial. Relator…