Hosts Jason Crawford and Agustin Orozco are joined by special guests Alice Hall-Partyka and Savanna Williams to discuss the administration’s novel use of the False Claims Act to advance social policy goals. The episode takes a specific look at the issues of gender-affirming care and anti-discrimination laws and discusses the recent announcement of the the
Let’s Talk FCA: Developments Regarding Constitutional Challenges to the Qui Tam Provisions
In this episode, Jason Crawford, Agustin Orozco, and Will Tucker discuss the latest developments in connection with constitutional challenges to the qui tam provisions since the district court ruling in U.S. ex. rel. Zafirov v. Florida Medical Associates LLC. “Let’s Talk FCA” is Crowell & Moring’s podcast covering the latest developments with the False Claims
Record-Setting False Claims Act Settlement Highlights DOJ Commitment to Customs Enforcement
On December 19, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $54.4 million settlement with Ceratizit USA, LLC, a distributor of tungsten carbide products, resolving allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by evading customs duties on products imported from China. This settlement is believed to be the largest ever customs-related FCA resolution, and this high-water mark underscores the government’s heightened enforcement focus on tariff evasion.
Continue Reading Record-Setting False Claims Act Settlement Highlights DOJ Commitment to Customs EnforcementBuying Peace: The Importance of Releasing FCA Liability When Resolving Criminal Allegations of Fraud Against the Government
The facts before the Third Circuit in the recently decided case of Patel v. United States illustrate how parties can put themselves in a bind if they make factual admissions when resolving a criminal case involving fraud on the government while not simultaneously resolving the government’s civil claims under the False Claims Act (FCA) for the same underlying conduct.
Continue Reading Buying Peace: The Importance of Releasing FCA Liability When Resolving Criminal Allegations of Fraud Against the GovernmentNinth Circuit Decision Underscores Increasing False Claims Act Risks to U.S. Importers
On June 23, 2025, the Ninth Circuit issued a long-awaited decision in Island Industries Inc. v. Sigma Corp. affirming a $26M False Claims Act (“FCA”) judgment against the defendant importer. Sigma had appealed the judgment after a jury found the company violated the FCA by failing to pay customs duties owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). The Ninth Circuit’s decision addresses an important jurisdictional issue and illustrates the significant financial exposure importers can face under the FCA at a time of increased tariffs and enforcement by the government.
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Decision Underscores Increasing False Claims Act Risks to U.S. ImportersDOJ’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative Bolsters Threat of False Claims Act Enforcement Under “Anti-DEI” Executive Order
On May 19, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a Memorandum creating the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative that will “utilize the False Claims Act to investigate and . . . pursue claims against any recipient of federal funds that knowingly violates federal civil rights laws.” According to the Memorandum, though racial discrimination has “always been illegal,” the Administration posits that “many corporations and schools continue to adhere to racist policies and preferences—albeit camouflaged with cosmetic changes that disguise their discriminatory nature.” In an effort to prevent federal funds from being used in connection with or support of these purportedly racist policies and preferences, the Initiative will wield the power of the False Claims Act, the government’s most powerful tool to fight fraud, waste, and abuse.
Continue Reading DOJ’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative Bolsters Threat of False Claims Act Enforcement Under “Anti-DEI” Executive OrderLet’s Talk FCA: Growing FCA Risks Amidst “America First” Trade Policy
In this episode, Crowell’s hosts Agustin Orozco and Jason Crawford speak with Crowell attorneys Simeon Yerokun and Katherine Quinn about DOJ’s plan to aggressively use the FCA against illegal foreign trade practices. This episode includes discussion of common areas of FCA enforcement in cases involving allegations of customs fraud, and the hosts address steps that
Aggressive FCA Enforcement in Customs Calls for Compliance Review
The US Department of Justice intends to “aggressively” enforce the False Claims Act, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston said in a speech at the Federal Bar Association’s annual qui tam conference earlier this year. He added that the agency particularly would focus on “illegal foreign trade practices” in conjunction with the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs.
Continue Reading Aggressive FCA Enforcement in Customs Calls for Compliance ReviewRecent Deluge of Paycheck Protection Program False Claims Act Settlements
United States Attorneys’ Offices recently announced a number of False Claims Act (FCA) settlements arising out of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These settlements reveal several trends that PPP loan recipients should be aware of.
Continue Reading Recent Deluge of Paycheck Protection Program False Claims Act SettlementsLet’s Talk FCA: Evolving Disclosure Considerations for Contractors
In this episode, hosts Jason Crawford, Agustin Orozco, and Yuan Zhou discuss the evolving disclosure landscape and the various risks and rewards that contractors must weigh when deciding what to disclose, when to disclose, and where to direct the disclosure.
“Let’s Talk FCA” is Crowell & Moring’s podcast covering the latest developments with the False