The firm’s client was the prime contractor on a regional light rail modernization project. A qui tam plaintiff filed a lawsuit in the name of the public entity owner, alleging the contractor had falsely substituted materials and cut corners on the project in violation of the California False Claims Act. The firm persuaded the owner to grant the firm the opportunity to rebut the plaintiff’s allegations prior to the owner’s intervention in the case.
The firm investigated each of the dozens of allegations and refuted them in a comprehensive presentation to the owner and the qui tam plaintiff. After the presentation, the owner concurrently filed an intervention and motion to dismiss the case. The qui tam plaintiff opposed the request for dismissal, but the court agreed with the firm and the owner that the firm’s client did not violate the California False Claims Act. The court entered judgment for the firm’s client and against the qui tam plaintiff.
Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr.