On February 21, 2025, the Supreme Court unanimously held that requests for reimbursement from a privately administered fund qualified as “claims” under the False Claims Act (FCA) because the government “provide[d]” a “portion” of the fund’s money.1 This alert summarizes the decision in Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath and its potential implications for other public-private programs.
Summary of the Opinion
The case involved the Education-Rate (E-Rate) program, which was established under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to subsidize internet and telecommunications services for schools and libraries across the United States.2 Under the...
Federal court grants summary judgment against pro se defendant who failed to respond to government's motion, finding violations of False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute through commission-bas...