Williams Mullen's COVID-19 Comeback Plan: Preparing Today for Tomorrow's PPP Audit
Under the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), an individual can bring a civil action for an injury to the individual’s business or property caused by a RICO violation (referred to as “civil RICO”). 18...more
Resolving a deep split among federal circuit courts, the U.S. Supreme Court has broadened plaintiffs’ ability to sue under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) for economic loss stemming from personal...more
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) was principally intended as a mechanism to combat organized crime. However, RICO’s scope is significantly broader than its anti-crime origin. The statute also...more
On April 2, 2025, a divided U.S. Supreme Court held that while the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) does not permit civil claimants to recover for personal injury, it also “does not preclude...more
On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the type of civil actions that can be brought under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to include personal injury claims that caused economic harm...more
On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court significantly expanded the scope of injuries entitled to treble damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The Supreme Court held in Medical Marijuana,...more
Following a jury's verdict, a federal court slashed civil penalties under the False Claims Act ("FCA") as violative of the Constitution's 8th Amendment....more
In October 2024, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn, a case poised to resolve a circuit split over whether economic harms resulting from personal injuries (such as lost wages) are...more
Any business operating a website needs to be aware of the proliferation of lawsuits targeting websites which use any type of customer tracking technology. While advantageous to the business in its marketing efforts, the data...more
Ohio made a significant change to its law governing home construction services, introducing an amendment that impacts both contractors and homeowners. House Bill 50 (H.B. 50), signed by Governor Mike DeWine in June 2024,...more
Connecticut AG William Tong obtained a judgment in his favor in his office’s lawsuit against Assured Rx, LLC (“Assured”), which alleged that the pharmacy engaged in a kickback scheme in violation of state false claims and...more
Whenever there is a pot of money up for grabs, people will inevitably want more than their fair share. And when that money is doled out through government contracts, opportunities for fraud abound. The government can...more
The United Supreme Court will hear arguments this month in a case that will have widespread consequences for the business community, specifically the products industry. In Medical Marijuana v. Horn, the question presented to...more
Dwyer v. Ameriprise Financial, No. 2 WAP 2023 (Pa. April 25, 2024) (Op. by Wecht, J.) (Brobson, J., Concurring and Dissenting) - Following a jury trial, the plaintiffs were awarded punitive damages against their life...more
Earlier this month, the Connecticut Appellate Court clarified the law regarding the interaction of enhanced damages available under different statutes. In Frank Charles White v. FCW Law Offices, the court held that, although...more
So far this year, three False Claims Act defendants have challenged judgments against them based on the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. Remarkably, two were successful, as the District of Minnesota more than...more
The Georgia Tech case serves as yet another reminder of the importance of contractor compliance with cybersecurity requirements in federal contracts. The Government alleges that Georgia Tech failed to comply with the...more
The Situation: The False Claims Act ("FCA") imposes treble damages on defendants, as well as mandatory penalties per false claim. Because alleged false claims often involve much smaller amounts—for example, in cases with a...more
In the high-stakes realm of False Claims Act (FCA) litigation per-claim penalties can reach daunting levels that dwarf even treble damages. A recent ruling from the Eighth Circuit Court provides valuable guidance on the...more
Colorado bankruptcy trustees have recently been increasing their focus on debt settlement companies and attorneys alleged to be performing services in violation of the Colorado Uniform Debt-Management Services Act (“CUDMSA”...more
Terminating employees can be a daunting task. Failing to follow your state or local rules when terminating an employee can make the task exponentially more difficult and expensive. When a business plans on firing or laying...more
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently gave consumers a huge win by allowing them to recover both treble damages and punitive damages under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL)....more
On April 25, 2024, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that trial courts considering violations of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (“UTPCPL”) may not limit damages because of separate...more
On March 28, 2024, in Sutton v. Jordan’s Furniture, Inc., the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) upheld a Massachusetts Superior Court decision finding the furniture retailer’s commission-based compensation scheme...more
The False Claims Act, sometimes referred to as the FCA, is an integral part of U.S. whistleblower law. By providing an avenue for individuals to blow the whistle on false or fraudulent claims that are being committed against...more