Edgy Bees, Former Director Settle False Claims Retaliation Suit

Edgy Bees Inc. and its former director have settled a False Claims Act suit alleging that the company fired the director in retaliation for calling attention to alleged misconduct under a $12 million Air Force contract.

The suit initially filed in 2021 is now dismissed, Judge Deborah K. Chasanow of the US District for the District of Maryland said in a Wednesday order.

Terms of the settlement weren’t made available. Counsel for the parties didn’t immediately respond to a request for comments.

Vincent Hearn alleged that he was fired because he complained that the company wasn’t satisfying information protection requirements under the contract, and that the company failed to hire facility clearance personnel that were US citizens.

Hearn satisfied the protected activity requirement for a retaliation claim by alleging that he repeatedly took action to stop violations by informing Edgy Bees that it was violating the contract, the court said in an April decision partially denying a motion to dismiss.

Edgy Bees hired Hearn in November 2019 as business development director. In July 2020, Edgy Bees received the “AFWERX/US Air Force SBIR Phase II STRATFi” contract, according to the amended complaint.

Hearn’s complaint was dismissed in May 2022. Hearn filed the amended complaint in July 2022.

Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch PC represents Hearn. Crowell & Moring LLP represents Edgy Bees.

The case is Hearn v. Edgy Bees Inc., D. Md., No. 21-cv-2259, 11/22/23.