Spokane - Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), a government contractor headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, has agreed to pay $389,355 to resolve allegations that its predecessor corporation violated the False Claims Act in connection with its implementation of an electronic medical records system intended for use at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford Site. Between 2005 and 2012, CSC held a DOE prime contract to provide occupational health services for Hanford Site workers. As part of that contract, CSC was required to implement an electronic medical records system for the medical records of Hanford Site workers. In 2015, after the CSC prime contract was completed, CSC merged its government contracts business with another company, SRA International, to form CSRA, Inc.
The United States alleged that CSC submitted false claims and statements to DOE representing that the electronic medical records system was functional and would operate as intended and in accordance with contractual and DOE requirements.
United States Attorney Harrington said, “Hanford Site workers perform a vitally important mission through which they risk exposure to radioactive and hazardous materials. It is critical that accurate health records be maintained concerning these workers. This settlement underscores our determination to utilize all tools at our disposal to ensure that public funds are efficiently spent in a manner that best serves workers, the public, and the environment. I commend the outstanding work of the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General, which made this resolution possible."
“The health and well-being of Hanford Site workers is paramount to the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission," said Acting Inspector General April G. Stephenson. “The Office of Inspector General is committed to investigating allegations of misconduct that, if true, could place those workers at risk. Because of the hazardous environment in which these workers conduct Department operations, it is vital that proper health records are maintained. We will continue to work aggressively with our investigative partners to pursue those who do not fulfill their contractual obligations and attempt to provide false information to the government."
The allegations resolved by this settlement were initially brought in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by two former CSC employees, Kirtley Clem and Matthew Spencer. The case is captioned United States ex rel. Clem et al. v. Computer Sciences Corporation, 16-cv-5160-LRS (E.D. Wash.) Under the False Claims Act, private citizens can sue on behalf of the United States, and share in any recovery. Mr. Clem and Mr. Spencer will receive $81,764 of the settlement.
Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter negotiated the settlement, which was the result of a joint investigation conducted with the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General. The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no admission of liability.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
