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THE LATEST ON GOVERNMENT INQUIRIES AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

Government Investigations and White Collar Litigation Group

Edwin O. Childs

Photo of Edwin O. Childs As a leader of the firm’s Defense, National Security and Government Contracting industry team, Ned Childs is a government contract and investigations and enforcement attorney who represents companies across a wide range of sectors, including the defense, services, technology, and aerospace industries.

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DOJ Announces Safe Harbor Policy for Mergers and Acquisitions

By Benjamin A. O'Neil, Jason H. Cowley, Justin Givens, Edwin O. Childs, J. Brent Justus, Holden Brooks, Amy Manning and McGuireWoods LLP on Compliance, Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Trends
In the U.S. Department of Justice’s continuing efforts to incentivize voluntary disclosure of corporate misconduct, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the Criminal Division’s latest corporate self-disclosure policy this week, aimed at mergers and acquisitions specifically (remarks Here).  Pursuant to DOJ’s new Mergers and Acquisitions Safe Harbor Policy (the “Policy”), acquiring companies that promptly and… Continue Reading

“There are Cops on the Beat”: DOJ’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force Leader Emphasizes Criminal Antitrust as Top Enforcement Priority

By Amy Manning, J. Brent Justus, Holden Brooks, Angelo Russo, Todd R. Steggerda, Abram J. Pafford, Jack White, Edwin O. Childs, Laura Colombell Marshall, Brandon M. Santos, Casey Erin Lucier, Paul T. Atkinson, Evan Tucker, Colin Brady and Jordan LaPointe on Compliance
On September 14, 2023, Daniel W. Glad — Director of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (“Strike Force”) for the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) Antitrust Division — gave remarks as the keynote speaker for the Virginia Bar Association’s Annual White-Collar Fall Forum, emphasizing a renewed commitment to pursuing criminal investigations in the federal procurement arena.  DOJ… Continue Reading

SBA Issues Interim Guidance After Ultima Decision Finds 8(a) Program Violates Equal Protection

By Edwin O. Childs, Laura Colombell Marshall, Brian D. Barger, WIlliam Doyle, John E. Thomas, Jr., Abram J. Pafford, Jack White, John S. Moran and McGuireWoods LLP on Government Contracts
Influenced by the U.S. Supreme Court’s SFFA college affirmative action decision, on July 19, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee enjoined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from determining federal contractor eligibility for its 8(a) Business Development program according to a “rebuttable presumption” that individuals of certain racial groups are socially… Continue Reading

Departments of Justice, Commerce and Treasury Issue Tri-Seal Compliance Note on Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Potential Violations

By Alex J. Brackett, Patrick Rowan, Jason H. Cowley, Edwin O. Childs, Laura Colombell Marshall, Elissa Baur and McGuireWoods LLP on Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
On July 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a Tri-Seal Compliance Note (the Note) detailing updates to the three agencies’ voluntary self-disclosure policies applicable to violations of U.S. sanctions, export… Continue Reading

U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies DOJ’s Authority to Dismiss Whistleblowers’ False Claims Act Suits, Questions Constitutionality of Qui Tam Provisions

By Edwin O. Childs, Michael J. Podberesky, Jonathan Ellis, Gretchen Heinze Townshend, Todd R. Steggerda, Charles Wm. McIntyre and Jason M. Vespoli on Fraud, Deception and False Claims
The U.S. Supreme Court recently resolved a circuit split by holding that, in a False Claims Act action, (1) the government may seek dismissal of a qui tam case in which the government initially declined to intervene over the relator’s objection so long as it later intervened in the litigation, and (2) district courts should… Continue Reading

DHS Issues Final Rule Regulating Federal Contractors’ Handling of Controlled Unclassified Information

By Jack White, Edwin O. Childs, Abram J. Pafford, Andrew Konia, Jason M. Vespoli, Jessica Nejberger and McGuireWoods LLP on Fraud, Deception and False Claims
On June 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a long-anticipated cybersecurity final rule that revises an existing clause and adds two new clauses to the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation related to contractors’ handling of controlled unclassified information. Read on for highlights from this rule, which goes into effect July 21 and is likely… Continue Reading

Supreme Court Clarifies the False Claims Act’s Knowledge Requirement, Eliminating a Potential Defense for Government Contractors and Healthcare Providers Accused of Fraud

By Michael J. Podberesky, Edwin O. Childs, Gretchen Heinze Townshend, Brett Barnett, Jonathan Ellis and McGuireWoods LLP on Fraud, Deception and False Claims, Government Contracts
On June 1, 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of whistleblower plaintiffs (referred to as “relators”) in consolidated False Claims Act (“FCA”) cases in a decision that clarified the application of the FCA’s knowledge requirement.  In United States ex rel. Schutte v. SuperValu Inc., the Court held that the FCA reaches defendants who… Continue Reading

U.S. Department of Justice and Partners Increasing Enforcement of Sanctions and Export Controls

By Patrick Rowan, Alex J. Brackett, Jason H. Cowley, Edwin O. Childs, Laura Colombell Marshall and Elissa Baur on Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
It has been a little more than a year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the war continues to rage.  In an effort to deter the Russian government and weaken its military capabilities, the United States has imposed significant sanctions and export controls targeting Russia.  Recognizing that these sanctions and export control laws merit aggressive… Continue Reading

U.S. Attorneys’ Offices Adopt Policy Incentivizing Self-Disclosure of Corporate Misconduct

By Noreen Kelly, Benjamin A. O'Neil, Casey Erin Lucier, Edwin O. Childs, Amy Manning, Angelo Russo, Sarah A. Zielinski, Elissa Baur and Joshua Wade on Compliance, Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Trends
On Feb. 22, 2023, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country adopted a new policy that incentivizes corporate voluntary self-disclosure of misconduct.  Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco’s Sept. 15, 2022 memorandum (“Monaco Memo”) instructed all DOJ sections to review their policies incentivizing corporate voluntary self-disclosure or, if no formal written policy existed, to draft and publish… Continue Reading

Analysis of DOJ’s FY 2022 FCA Statistics and the Mixed Signals Therein

By Michael J. Podberesky, David Pivnick, Laura Colombell Marshall, Edwin O. Childs and McGuireWoods LLP on Fraud, Deception and False Claims
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it recovered over $2.2 billion under the False Claims Act (FCA) in Fiscal Year 2022.[1] That is a steep drop from last year’s near-record $5.7 billion haul and the lowest annual recovery since 2008. That year-over-year decline, though, was exacerbated by a $3 billion… Continue Reading

Department of Labor Proposes Rule Granting Government Contractor Employees Right of First Refusal

By Francis J. Aul, John E. Thomas, Jr., Edwin O. Childs, David Greenspan and Sabrina A. Beldner on Government Contracts
On July 15, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed a new regulation that would require successor government contractors to offer employees of predecessor contractors the first right of refusal for employment on certain contracts. Read on for more information about the proposed regulation.… Continue Reading

DOJ and Aerojet Settle for $9 Million in Qui Tam Cybersecurity False Claims Act Case

By Edwin O. Childs, Todd R. Steggerda, Abram J. Pafford, Andrew Konia, Jason M. Vespoli and McGuireWoods LLP on Fraud, Deception and False Claims, Government Contracts
On July 8, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a $9 million settlement with federal government contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. for alleged violations of the False Claims Act in a case pending in the Eastern District of California. The settlement results from alleged false statements by Aerojet related to compliance with Department of Defense… Continue Reading

New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions

By Alex J. Brackett, Edwin O. Childs, Patrick Rowan, Elissa Baur, Laura Colombell Marshall, Jason H. Cowley and Francesca Titus on Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Trends, Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATE: FinCEN Alert Highlights Potential U.S. Commercial Real Estate Investments by Sanctioned Russian Elites and Their Proxies (January 30, 2023) As the world watched in horror over the atrocities occurring in the war zones of Ukraine this week, global leaders re-doubled their efforts to bring increasing sanctions pressure to bear on Russian industry, the… Continue Reading

Largest-Ever Small-Business Contracting Fraud Settlement Related to Pass-Through Subcontracting

By Edwin O. Childs, Michael J. Podberesky, Todd R. Steggerda, Jason M. Vespoli and McGuireWoods LLP on Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Trends, Government Contracts
Federal contractors should take note of a $48.5 million False Claims Act settlement between the Department of Justice and TriMark USA LLC — the largest-ever FCA settlement based on allegations of small-business set-aside contracting fraud. DOJ alleged that TriMark had a plan to circumvent specific small-business contracting requirements by providing significant assistance to three small… Continue Reading

Western Companies Starting to Feel Impact of Russian Sanctions

By Alex J. Brackett, Edwin O. Childs, Patrick Rowan, Elissa Baur, Laura Colombell Marshall and Jason H. Cowley on Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Trends, Financial Institution Regulation, Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATES: FinCEN Alert Highlights Potential U.S. Commercial Real Estate Investments by Sanctioned Russian Elites and Their Proxies (January 30, 2023) New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions (April 8, 2022) As we approach the thirty day mark since the United States, and other Western countries began imposing a series of rigorous sanctions… Continue Reading

DOJ Settles First False Claims Act Enforcement Action Since Launch of Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative

By Edwin O. Childs, Todd R. Steggerda, Laura Colombell Marshall, Charles Wm. McIntyre, Michael J. Podberesky, Andrew Konia, Jason M. Vespoli and McGuireWoods LLP on Fraud, Deception and False Claims
On March 8, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $930,000 settlement with Comprehensive Health Services, LLC (CHS) for alleged violations of the False Claims Act (FCA). This settlement marks DOJ’s first resolution of an FCA enforcement action involving cyber fraud after launching its Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative in October 2021, signaling DOJ’s eagerness to combat cybersecurity violations… Continue Reading

Biden Administration Amends “Buy American” Rules to Increase Domestic Content Requirements

By Edwin O. Childs, Alex J. Brackett, Abram J. Pafford, Jack White, Todd R. Steggerda and Jason M. Vespoli on Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Trends
On March 7, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council promulgated a final rule aimed at increasing federal government preferences for goods and construction materials that are domestically manufactured and increasing the required domestic content threshold for purchases governed by the Buy American Act. Read on for highlights from the rule and next steps for government contractors… Continue Reading

DOJ Launches “Task Force KleptoCapture” in Response to Russian Invasion

By Laura Colombell Marshall, Edwin O. Childs, Alex J. Brackett, Patrick Rowan, Jason H. Cowley, Evan Tucker and Elissa Baur on Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATES: U.S. Department of Justice and Partners Increasing Enforcement of Sanctions and Export Controls (March 6, 2023) New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions (April 8, 2022) Western Companies Starting to Feel Impact of Russian Sanctions (March 24, 2022) FinCEN Encourages “Increased Vigilance” and Highlights Red Flags for Evasion of Russian Sanctions… Continue Reading

U.S. and Allies Significantly Expand Sanctions and Related Restrictions on Russia and Belarus

By Alex J. Brackett, Edwin O. Childs, Patrick Rowan, Elissa Baur, Laura Colombell Marshall and Jason H. Cowley on Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATES: New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions (April 8, 2022) Western Companies Starting to Feel Impact of Russian Sanctions (March 24, 2022) FinCEN Encourages “Increased Vigilance” and Highlights Red Flags for Evasion of Russian Sanctions including Use of Virtual Currency (March 16, 2022) DOJ Launches “Task Force KleptoCapture” in Response to… Continue Reading

Additional Sanctions on Russia and the Importance of Business Contingency Planning

By Alex J. Brackett, Patrick Rowan, Edwin O. Childs and Elissa Baur on Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATES: New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions (April 8, 2022) Western Companies Starting to Feel Impact of Russian Sanctions (March 24, 2022) FinCEN Encourages “Increased Vigilance” and Highlights Red Flags for Evasion of Russian Sanctions including Use of Virtual Currency (March 16, 2022) DOJ Launches “Task Force KleptoCapture” in Response to… Continue Reading

Biden Administration Issues Initial Ukraine Sanctions

By Alex J. Brackett, Patrick Rowan and Edwin O. Childs on Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATES: New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions (April 8, 2022) Western Companies Starting to Feel Impact of Russian Sanctions (March 24, 2022) FinCEN Encourages “Increased Vigilance” and Highlights Red Flags for Evasion of Russian Sanctions including Use of Virtual Currency (March 16, 2022) DOJ Launches “Task Force KleptoCapture” in Response to… Continue Reading

Analysis of DOJ’s 2021 FCA Statistics and the Trends Therein

By Michael J. Podberesky, David Pivnick, Edwin O. Childs, Laura Colombell Marshall and McGuireWoods LLP on Fraud, Deception and False Claims
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ or Department) announced that it recovered over $5.6 billion under the False Claims Act (FCA) in Fiscal Year 2021.[1] That is a massive headline haul that is second only to the roughly $6 billion recovered under the FCA in FY 2014, when there were $3.1 billion in… Continue Reading

What Significant Russian Sanctions Could Look Like, and How to Prepare

By Alex J. Brackett, Patrick Rowan and Edwin O. Childs on Sanctions, Trade Embargo, and Export Controls
RELATED UPDATES: New Revelations in Ukraine Lead to Tightening Global Sanctions (April 8, 2022) Western Companies Starting to Feel Impact of Russian Sanctions (March 24, 2022) FinCEN Encourages “Increased Vigilance” and Highlights Red Flags for Evasion of Russian Sanctions including Use of Virtual Currency (March 16, 2022) DOJ Launches “Task Force KleptoCapture” in Response to… Continue Reading

CMMC 2.0: Department of Defense Revamps Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program

By Edwin O. Childs, Abram J. Pafford, Todd R. Steggerda, Jason M. Vespoli and McGuireWoods LLP on Government Contracts
On November 4, 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced significant changes to the strategic direction of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program.  Specifically, DoD stated that the goal of these changes is to simplify the CMMC standard and prioritize the protection of certain types of controlled defense information.  After a nine-month internal review by the… Continue Reading

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