Government Contractor Must Face Suit Alleging Concealed Conflict

The US government may proceed with its False Claims Act suit against staff augmentation services contractor Intelligent Fiscal Optimal Solutions LLC and its owner, Tawanda Smith, according to a federal district court ruling.

The government alleges that iFOS and Smith coordinated with then-Department of Homeland Security official Kenneth J. Buck to steer a contract to iFOS, and concealed the violation of conflict-of-interest laws when submitting invoices for payment.

iFOS argued that the government released all claims under a $10,000 settlement with Buck. But the settlement clearly released only Buck, Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson of the US District Court for ...