Big-D Construction Must Pay Fees in Small Biz Fraud Case

Big-D Construction Corp. owes false claims whistleblowers Rafter H Construction LLC and Neal Hikida nearly $81,000 in attorneys’ fees following the settlement of a case alleging small business fraud, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho said.

The April 2 settlement with the Justice Department covered two false claims cases against Big-D, the second of which took place in a Utah court, that resulted in a total government recovery of $1.5 million.

Judge David C. Nye dismissed the case soon after, but retained jurisdiction for the sole purpose of resolving outstanding issues regarding the whistleblowers’ entitlement attorneys’ fees. ...