Government Controls FCC Program, Whistleblower Tells Justices

A False Claims Act whistleblower told the US Supreme Court Tuesday that an appeals court correctly ruled that he could proceed with his suit alleging that Wisconsin Bell Inc. defrauded a Federal Communication Commission program.

Wisconsin Bell, an AT&T subsidiary, contends that the FCA suit alleging fraud under the E-Rate program can’t continue because that program is funded by private money, and any alleged misconduct didn’t cost the government anything.

But whistleblower Todd Heath said in his response brief that the government did collect, bank, and transfer about $100 million to the Universal Service Administrative Company, which disburses funds on ...