On October 1, 2026, Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald issued Directive 26-12, titled “Corporate Enforcement in the Fight Against Fraud.” It directs prosecutors in the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division) to pursue healthcare, government, tax, and trade fraud
Latest from Inside the False Claims Act
FinCEN Identifies $17.5 Billion in Suspected Healthcare Fraud, Reinforces Prior Warning to Financial Institutions
On September 9, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had identified approximately $17.5 billion in suspicious financial activity potentially connected to healthcare fraud. Part of the Treasury Department, FinCEN has primary responsibility
Starbucks Settlement Adds to Growing Scrutiny of Corporate DEI Programs
On September 17, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Starbucks agreed to pay $1 million and undertake several commitments to resolve a lawsuit alleging that Starbucks engaged in employment practices that violated the Florida Civil Rights Act through race-
Guidance Out, Dismissals In: DOJ Rewrites the False Claims Act Playbook with Justice Manual Revisions on Sub-Regulatory Guidance and Qui Tam Dismissals
Guidance remains relevant as evidence, particularly in healthcare. While guidance cannot establish the underlying legal duty, CMS manuals, Local Coverage Determinations, and similar materials may still be used to prove scienter, notice, industry standards, and medical necessity in FCA cases.
DOJ’s $2 Million Honeywell Settlement Under the Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative: What Compliance Failures Mean for Defense Contractors
Key Takeaways
- DOJ used the FCA to settle with Honeywell Aerospace Inc. for $2,042,518 over allegations that a Honeywell business unit submitted claims for payment under a DoW contract while failing to comply with NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity requirements incorporated
DOJ Continues DEI False Claims Act Enforcement with $25 Million Accenture Settlement
On September 14, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Accenture Federal Services (AFS), Accenture plc, and Accenture LLP (collectively, Accenture or AFS) agreed to pay $25 million to resolve allegations that AFS violated the False Claims Act (FCA)
Eleventh Circuit Upholds FCA Qui Tam Provisions Against Appointments Clause Challenge
In a much-anticipated False Claims Act (FCA) ruling, the Eleventh Circuit has joined every other circuit in considering the issue and holding that qui tam relators under the FCA are not “officers of the United States” subject to the Constitution’s
Medicare Advantage Fraud Enforcement in 2026: What Recent Settlements Reveal About the Limits of Data-Driven False Claims Act Cases
Over the last several months, there has been no shortage of commentary about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Fraud Oversight through Careful Use of Statistics (FOCUS) initiative and the rise of data-driven False Claims Act (FCA) investigations. DOJ has made
The Villages Health System Settles Medicare Advantage Risk-Adjustment Allegations for $541.5 Million
On August 26, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that The Villages Health System, LLC (TVH), a healthcare provider group located within The Villages retirement community in central Florida, agreed to a $541.5 million settlement to resolve False Claims Act
Deloitte DEI Settlement Highlights False Claims Act Risk at Both Federal and State Levels
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on August 25 that Deloitte has agreed to pay $21.5 million to resolve allegations that certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices discriminated against employees and applicants based on race or sex and