A defendant's mens rea, or intent, is almost always a contested element in a criminal prosecution, particularly in criminal healthcare fraud cases that frequently arise out of complex legal and regulatory regimes....more
A recent decision by the Supreme Court clarified the required intent for a defendant to be held liable under the False Claims Act. According to the Court, the FCA’s scienter requirement refers to a defendant’s knowledge and...more
On April 18, 2023, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in two consolidated cases that have the potential to upend False Claims Act (FCA) litigation. Oral argument on both sides and questioning from the...more
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the Supreme Court heard argument in the consolidated cases of United States ex rel. Schutte v. SuperValu, Inc., and United States ex rel. Proctor v. Safeway, Inc., to consider whether subjective...more
The United States Supreme Court recently granted certiorari in a pair of cases out of the Seventh Circuit that will finally resolve a longstanding circuit split on the question of “scienter” under the False Claims Act...more
The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to hear two cases on the key question of when a defendant can be found to have “knowingly” violated the False Claims Act (FCA). This sets the stage for a potential landmark FCA decision...more
On January 13, 2023, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in a pair of consolidated cases from the Seventh Circuit that could result in one of the most consequential False Claims Act (FCA) decisions since the FCA was amended...more
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently issued an opinion addressing the False Claims Act's intent requirement. U.S. ex rel. Phalp v. Lincare Holdings, Inc., No. 16-10532, ___ F.3d ___ (11th Cir. May 26,...more
A recent appellate court ruling governing all federal court cases in Florida, Georgia and Alabama establishes that a defendant in a False Claims Act (FCA) case cannot rely on a defense that there was no intent to defraud the...more
On May 4, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the fraud conviction of a registered investment adviser and held that proof of intent to harm is not an element of a criminal conviction under section...more
The "Dancing Baby" Case—Ninth Circuit Rules That "Fair Use" Must First Be Considered Before Sending Takedown Notices Under the DMCA - Why it matters: On September 14, 2015, the Ninth Circuit ruled in Lenz v. Universal...more