The U.S. Department of Justice announced its new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative with the goal to identify entities defrauding the government by knowingly violating civil rights laws. The DOJ is specifically targeting employers that implement “racist preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities, including through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that assign benefits to burdens on race, ethnicity, or national origin.”
The DOJ’s directive warns organizations doing business with the federal government that it intends to vigorously prosecute violators through use of the False Claims Act. The FCA prohibits the submission of false claims to the government and can result in significant liability. In addition, the FCA allows private citizens to pursue claims on the government’s behalf and retain a portion of the recovery.
The DOJ is strongly encouraging whistleblowers to report potential violations by their employers to the government and to file individual lawsuits.
Join Constangy partners Laura Balson and Cara Crotty for a session that explores how DEI-related employment practices can trigger scrutiny and liability under the FCA. Designed for in-house counsel and human resources professionals, the webinar provides practical guidance and will cover:
- Overview of the False Claims Act
- Elements of an FCA claim
- Qui tamactions
- Damages provisions
- Whistleblower protections
- How the False Claims Act applies to employment practices, particularly in connection with DEI initiatives
- Practical compliance strategies for employers to reduce risks of claims under the False Claims Act
- Effective approaches for handling whistleblower complaints
SHRM and HRCI credits pending.
Register now to secure your spot and stay ahead of emerging FCA enforcement risks.