District of Columbia False Claims Act

As amended through March 19, 2013, D.C. Law 19-232, 59 DCR 13632. Formerly codified as 2-308.13 to 2-308.21.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FALSE CLAIMS ACT

§ 2-381.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this subchapter, and unless otherwise defined, the term:
(1) “Claim” means:
(A) Any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property, and whether or not the District has title to the money or property, that:
(i) Is presented to an officer, employee, or agent of the District; or
(ii) Is made to a contractor, grantee, or other recipient, if the money or property is to be spent or used on the District’s behalf or to advance a District program or interest, and if the District:
(I) Provides or has provided any portion of the money or property requested or demanded; or
(II) Will reimburse the contractor, grantee, or other recipient for any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded.
(B) The term “claim” does not include requests or demands for money or property that the District has paid to an individual as compensation for District employment or as an income subsidy with no restrictions on that individual’s use of the money or property.
(2) “Custodian” means the custodian, or any deputy custodian, designated by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia pursuant to § 2-381.07(j)(1).
(3) “Documentary material” includes the original or any copy of any book, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, chart, or other document, or data compilations stored in or accessible through computer or other information retrieval systems, together with instructions and all other materials necessary to use or interpret such data compilations, and any product of discovery.
(4) “False claims law” means this subchapter.
(5) “False claims law investigation” means any inquiry conducted by any false claims law investigator for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is or has been engaged in any violation of a false claims law.
(6) “False claims law investigator” means any attorney or investigator employed by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia who is charged with the duty of enforcing or carrying into effect any false claims law, or any officer or employee of the District government acting under the direction and supervision of such attorney or investigator in connection with a false claims law investigation.
(7) “Knowing” or “knowingly” means:
(A) That a person, with respect to information, does any of the following:
(i) Has actual knowledge of the information;
(ii) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the information; or
(iii) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information.
(B) The terms “knowing” and “knowingly” do not require proof of specific intent to defraud.
(8) “Material” means having a natural tendency to influence, or be capable of influencing, the payment or receipt of money or property.
(9) “Obligation” means an established duty, whether or not fixed, arising from an express or implied contractual, grantor-grantee, or licensor-licensee relationship, from a fee-based or similar relationship, from statute or regulation, or from the retention of any overpayment
(10) “Original source” means an individual who:
(A) Has voluntarily disclosed to the District, before a public disclosure under § 2-381.03(c-1)(1), the information on which allegations or transactions in a claim are based; or
(B) Has knowledge that is independent of and materially adds to the publicly disclosed allegations or transactions, and who has voluntarily provided the information to the District before filing an action under this section.
(11) “Person” includes any natural person, corporation, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, or trust.
(12) “Proceeds” means civil penalties as well as double or treble damages as provided in § 2-381.02, and criminal fines as provided in § 2-381.09.
§ 2-381.02. False claims liability, treble damages, costs, and civil penalties; exceptions.
(a) Any person who commits any of the following acts shall be liable to the District for 3 times the amount of damages which the District sustains because of the act of that person. A person who commits any of the following acts shall also be liable to the District for the costs of a civil action brought to recover penalties or damages, and shall be liable to the District for a civil penalty of not less than $5,500, and not more than $11,000, for each false or fraudulent claim for which the person:
(1) Knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval;
(2) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim;
(3) Has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the District and knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, less than all of that money or property;
(4) Is authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the District and, intending to defraud the District, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true;
(5) Knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the District who lawfully may not sell or pledge property;
(6) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the District, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the District;
(7) Conspires to commit a violation of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of this subsection;
(8) Is a beneficiary of an inadvertent submission of a false or fraudulent claim to the District, subsequently discovers the falsity of the claim, and fails to disclose the false or fraudulent claim to the District; or
(9) Is the beneficiary of an inadvertent payment or overpayment by the District of monies not due and knowingly fails to repay the inadvertent payment or overpayment to the District.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the court may assess not more than two times the amount of damages which the District sustains because of the act of the person, and there shall be no civil penalty, if the court finds all of the following:
(1) The person committing the violation furnished officials of the District responsible for investigating false claims violations with all information known to that person about the violation within 30 days after the date on which the person first obtained the information;
(2) The person fully cooperated with any investigation by the District; and
(3) At the time the person furnished the District with information about the violation, no criminal prosecution, civil action, or administrative action had commenced with respect to the violation, and the person did not have actual knowledge of the existence of an investigation into the violation.
(c) Liability pursuant to this section shall be joint and several for any act committed by 2 or more persons.
(d) This section shall not apply to claims, records, or statements made pursuant to those portions of Title 47 that refer or relate to taxation.
§ 2-381.03. Attorney General for the District of Columbia investigations and prosecutions; powers of prosecuting authority; civil actions by individuals as qui tam plaintiffs; jurisdiction of courts. .
(a) The Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall investigate, with such assistance from other District agencies as may be required, violations pursuant to § 2-381.02 involving District funds. If the Attorney General for the District of Columbia finds that a person has violated or is violating the provisions of § 2-381.02, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may bring a civil action against that person in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(b)(1) A person may bring a civil action for a violation of § 2-381.02 for the person and for the District The action shall be brought in the name of the District. The person bringing the action shall be referred to as the qui tam plaintiff. The action may be dismissed only if the court and the Attorney General for the District of Columbia give written consent to the dismissal and their reasons for consenting.
(2) A complaint filed by a qui tam plaintiff pursuant to this subsection shall be filed in the Superior Court in camera and may remain under seal for up to 180 days, unless the seal is extended by the court. No service shall be made on the defendant until after the complaint is unsealed.
(3) On the same day as the complaint is filed pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the qui tam plaintiff shall serve the Attorney General for the District of Columbia by mail, return receipt requested, with a copy of the complaint and a written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and information the person possesses.
(4) Within 180 days after receiving a complaint alleging violations involving District funds, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall do either of the following:
(A) Notify the court that he or she intends to proceed with the action, in which case the seal may be lifted unless, for good cause shown, the court continues the seal; or
(B) Notify the court that he or she declines to take over the action, in which case the seal shall be lifted and the qui tam plaintiff shall have the right to conduct the action.
(5) Upon a showing of good cause, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may move the court for extensions of the time during which the complaint remains under seal.
(6) When a qui tam plaintiff brings an action pursuant to this subsection, no person other than the District may intervene or bring a related action based on the facts underlying the pending action.
(7) The District is not liable for expenses which a qui tam plaintiff incurs in bringing an action under this section.
(c)(1) No person may bring an action pursuant to subsection (b) of this section against a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, a member of the District judiciary, or an elected official in the executive branch of the District, if the action is based on evidence or information known to the District when the action was brought.
(2) No person may bring an action under subsection (b) of this section which is based upon allegations or transactions which are the subject of a civil suit or an administrative civil money penalty proceeding in which the District is already a party.
(c-1)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a court shall dismiss an action or claim under this section if substantially the same allegations or transactions as alleged in the action or claim were publicly disclosed:
(A) In a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing in which the District or its agent is a party;
(B) In a report, hearing, audit, or investigation by the Council of the District of Columbia, the Auditor of the District of Columbia, the Inspector General of the District of Columbia, or other District agency; or
(C) By the news media.
(2) A court shall not dismiss an action or claim as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection if:
(A) The action is brought by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia;
(B) The District is opposed to the dismissal; or
(C) The action is brought by a qui tam plaintiff and the qui tam plaintiff is an original source of the information.
(d)(1) If the District proceeds with the action, it shall have the primary responsibility for prosecuting the action, and shall not be bound by an act of the qui tam plaintiff. The qui tam plaintiff shall have the right to continue as a party to the action, subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2)(A) The District may dismiss the action notwithstanding the objections of the qui tam plaintiff if the qui tam plaintiff has been notified by the District of the filing of the motion to dismiss and the court has provided the qui tam plaintiff with an opportunity for a hearing on the motion.
(B) The District may settle the action with the defendant, notwithstanding the objections of the qui tam plaintiff, if the court determines, after a hearing providing the qui tam plaintiff an opportunity to be heard, that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable under all the circumstances. Upon a showing of good cause, the hearing may be held in camera.
(C) Upon a showing by the District that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the qui tam plaintiff would interfere with or unduly delay the District’s prosecution of the case, or would be repetitious, irrelevant, or for purposes of harassment, the court may, in its discretion, impose limitations on the qui tam plaintiffs participation, such as:
(i) Limiting the number of witnesses the qui tam plaintiff may call;
(ii) Limiting the length of the testimony of such witnesses;
(iii) Limiting the qui tam plaintiff’s cross-examination of witnesses; or
(iv) Otherwise limiting the participation by the qui tam plaintiff in the litigation.
(D) Upon a showing by the defendant that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the qui tam plaintiff would be for purposes of harassment or would cause the defendant undue burden or unnecessary expense, the court may, in its discretion, limit the participation by the qui tam plaintiff.
(e)(1) If the District elects not to proceed and the qui tam action was proper pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the qui tam plaintiff shall have the same right to conduct the action as the Attorney General for the District of Columbia would have had if he or she had chosen to proceed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. If the District so requests, the District shall be served with copies of all pleadings filed in the action.
(2) When the qui tam plaintiff proceeds with the action, the court, without limiting the status and rights of the qui tam plaintiff, may nevertheless permit the District to intervene at a later date upon a showing of good cause.
(f)(1)(A) If the District proceeds with an action brought by a qui tam plaintiff pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the qui tam plaintiff, subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, shall receive at least 15%, but not more than 25%, of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the qui tam plaintiff substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action.
(B) Where the action is one which the court finds to be based primarily on disclosures of specific information, other than information provided by the qui tam plaintiff, relating to allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a report, hearing, audit, or investigation conducted by a District agency, or from the news media, the court may award such sums as it considers appropriate, but in no case more than 10% of the proceeds, taking into account the significance of the information and the role of the qui tam plaintiff in advancing the case to litigation.
(C) Any payment to a qui tam plaintiff under this paragraph shall be made from the proceeds of the judgment or the settlement of the claim. Any qui tam plaintiff receiving a payment under this paragraph shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.
(2)(A) If the District does not proceed with an action brought by a qui tam plaintiff pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the qui tam plaintiff shall receive an amount which the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil penalty and damages; provided, that the amount shall be not less than 25%, and not more than 30%, of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim.
(B) Any payment to a qui tam plaintiff under this paragraph shall be made from the proceeds of the judgment or the settlement of the claim. Any qui tam plaintiff receiving a payment under this paragraph shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.
(3) The portion of the recovery not distributed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be paid to the District treasury.
(4)(A) Whether or not the District proceeds with the action, if the court finds that the action was brought by a qui tam plaintiff who planned and initiated the violation of § 2-381.02 upon which the action was brought, then the court may, to the extent the court considers appropriate, reduce the share of the proceeds of the action which the qui tam plaintiff would otherwise receive under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, taking into account the role of the qui tam plaintiff in advancing the case to litigation and any relevant circumstances pertaining to the violation.
(B) If the qui tam plaintiff is convicted of criminal conduct arising from his or her role in the violation of § 2-381.02, the qui tam plaintiff shall be dismissed from the civil action and shall not receive any share of the proceeds of the action. Such dismissal shall not prejudice the right of the District to continue the action, represented by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
(5) If the District does not proceed with the action and the qui tam plaintiff conducts the action, the court may award to the defendant reasonable attorneys fees and expenses necessarily incurred if the defendant prevails in the action and the court finds that the claim of the qui tam plaintiff was frivolous, vexatious, or brought solely for purposes of harassment.
(6)(A) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the District may elect to pursue a violation of § 2-381.02 through any alternate remedy available to the District, including an administrative proceeding to determine a civil money penalty. If any such alternate remedy is pursued in another proceeding, the qui tam plaintiff shall have the same rights in such proceeding as such person would have had if the qui tam action had continued under this section. Any finding of fact or conclusion of law made in such other proceeding that has become final shall be conclusive on all parties to an action under this section.
(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, a finding or conclusion is final if it has been finally determined on appeal to the appropriate court, if all time for filing such an appeal with respect to the finding or conclusion has expired, or if the finding or conclusion is not subject to judicial review.
(g)(1) Whether or not the District proceeds with the action, upon a showing by the District that certain actions of discovery by the qui tam plaintiff would interfere with the investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil matter by the District or a criminal matter in the District of Columbia arising out of the same facts, the court may stay such discovery for a period of not more than 60 days.
(2) Upon a further showing that the District or the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has pursued the criminal or civil investigation or proceedings with reasonable diligence and any proposed discovery in the qui tam action will interfere with the ongoing criminal or civil investigation or proceedings, the court may extend the stay of discovery provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Any showing provided for under this subsection shall be conducted in camera.
§ 2-381.04. Relief from retaliatory actions.
(a) Any employee, contractor, or agent shall be entitled to all relief necessary to make that employee, contractor, or agent whole, if that employee, contractor, or agent is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because of lawful acts done by the employee, contractor, agent, or associated others in furtherance of an action under this subchapter or other efforts to stop one or more violations of this subchapter.
(b) The relief authorized under subsection (a) of this section shall include:
(1) Reinstatement with the same seniority status that the employee, contractor, or agent would have had but for the discrimination;
(2) Two times the amount of back pay;
(3) Interest on the back pay; and
(4) Compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination, including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
(c) An action seeking relief under this section may be brought in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia; provided, that a civil action seeking relief under this section may not be brought more than 3 years after the date when the retaliation occurred.
§ 2-381.05. Limitation of actions; burden of proof.
(a) A civil action brought pursuant to § 2-381.03 may not be brought:
(1) More than 6 years after the date on which the violation of § 2-381.02 is committed; or
(2) More than 3 years after the date when facts material to the right of action are known or reasonably should have been known by the official of the District charged with the responsibility to act in those circumstances, but in no event more than 10 years after the date on which the violation of § 2-381.02 is committed, whichever occurs last.
(b) A civil action brought pursuant to § 2-381.03 may not be brought for activity prior to April 12, 1997.
(c) In any action brought pursuant to § 2-381.03, the District or the qui tam plaintiff shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a judgment of guilt in a criminal proceeding charging false statements or fraud, upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, shall estop the defendant from denying the essential elements of the offense in any action brought pursuant to § 2-308.15 which involves the same transaction as in the criminal proceeding.
(e)(1) If the District elects to intervene and proceed with an action brought under § 2-381.03, the District may file its own complaint or amend the complaint of a qui tam plaintiff who has brought an action under § 2- 381.03(b) to clarify or add detail to the claims in which the District is intervening and to add any additional claims with respect to which the District contends it is entitled to relief.
(2) Any District pleading as provided for in this subsection shall relate back to the filing date of the complaint of the qui tam plaintiff who originally brought the action, and thereby comply with the statute of limitations as provided for in this subchapter, to the extent that the claim of the District arises out of the conduct, transactions, or occurrences set forth, or attempted to be set forth, in the prior complaint of the qui tam plaintiff.
§ 2-381.06. Remedies pursuant to other laws; severability of provisions; liberality of article construction.
The provisions of this chapter are not exclusive, and the remedies provided for shall be in addition to any other remedies provided for in any other law or available pursuant to common law.
§ 2-381.07. Civil investigative demands.
(a)(1) Whenever the Attorney General for the District of Columbia has reason to believe that any person may be in possession, custody, or control of any documentary material or information relevant to a false claims law investigation, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may, in order to determine whether to commence a civil proceeding pursuant to this chapter, issue in writing and cause to be served upon such person a civil investigative demand requiring that such person do the following:
(A) Produce documentary material relevant to the false claims law investigation for inspection and copying;
(B) Answer in writing written interrogatories with respect to any documentary material or information relevant to the false claims law investigation;
(C) Provide oral testimony concerning any documentary material or information relevant to the false claims law investigation; or
(D) Furnish any combination of such material, answers, or testimony.
(2) The Attorney General for the District of Columbia may delegate to the Principal Deputy Attorney General for the District of Columbia the authority, in his or her absence, to issue civil investigative demands pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. The Attorney General for the District of Columbia may not issue a civil investigative demand in order to conduct, or assist in the conducting of, a criminal investigation.
(b)(1) Each civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section shall state the nature of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of a false claims law which is under investigation, and the applicable provision of law alleged to have been violated.
(2) If such demand is for the production of documentary material, the demand shall do the following:
(A) Describe each class of documentary material to be produced with such definiteness and certainty as to permit such material to be fairly identified;
(B) Prescribe a return date for each such class that will provide a reasonable period of time within which the material so demanded may be assembled and made available for inspection and copying; and
(C) Identify the false claims law investigator to whom such material shall be made available.
(3) If such demand is for answers to written interrogatories, the demand shall do the following:
(A) Set forth with specificity the written interrogatories to be answered;
(B) Prescribe dates at which time answers to written interrogatories shall be submitted; and
(C) Identify the false claims law investigator to whom such answers shall be submitted.
(4) If such demand is for the giving of oral testimony, the demand shall do the following:
(A) Prescribe the date, time, and place at which oral testimony shall commence;
(B) Identify a false claims law investigator who shall conduct the examination and the custodian to whom the transcript of such examination shall be submitted;
(C) Specify that such attendance and testimony are necessary to conduct the investigation;
(D) Notify the person receiving the demand of the right to be accompanied by an attorney and any other representative; and
(E) Describe the general purpose for which the demand is being issued and the general nature of the testimony, including the primary areas of inquiry, which will be taken pursuant to the demand.
(5) The date prescribed for the commencement of oral testimony pursuant to a civil investigative demand shall be a date that is not less than 7 days after the date on which the demand is received, unless the Attorney General for the District of Columbia determines that exceptional circumstances are present that warrant the commencement of such testimony within a shorter period of time.
(6) The Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall not authorize, pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section, issuance of more than one civil investigative demand for oral testimony by the same person unless the person requests otherwise or unless the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, after investigation, notifies that person in writing that an additional demand for oral testimony is necessary.
(c) A civil investigative demand may not require the production of any documentary material, the submission of any answers to written interrogatories, or the giving of any oral testimony if such material, answers, or testimony would be protected from disclosure under:
(1) The standards applicable to subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum issued by a court of the District of Columbia to aid in a grand jury investigation; or
(2) The standards applicable to discovery requests pursuant to the Superior Court Civil Rules to the extent that the application of such standards to any such demand is appropriate and consistent with the provisions and purposes of this section.
(d)(1) Any civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be served by a false claims law investigator or his or her agent, or by a United States marshal or a deputy marshal, at any place within the territorial jurisdiction of any court of the United States; provided, that the Superior Court of the District of Columbia could exercise jurisdiction over the recipient of the demand consistent with the due process clause of the Constitution of the United States.
(2) Any such demand or any petition filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be served upon any person who is not found within the territorial jurisdiction of any court of the United States in such manner as the Superior Court Civil Rules prescribe for service in a foreign country; provided, that the Superior Court of the District of Columbia could exercise jurisdiction over the recipient of the demand consistent with the due process clause of the Constitution of the United States.
(e)(1) Service of any civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or of any petition filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may be made upon a partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity by the following methods:
(A) Delivering an executed copy of such demand or petition to any partner, executive officer, managing agent, or general agent of the partnership, corporation, association, or entity, or to any agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process on behalf of such partnership, corporation, association, or entity;
(B) Delivering an executed copy of such demand or petition to the principal office or place of business of the partnership, corporation, association, or entity; or
(C) Depositing an executed copy of such demand or petition in the United States mail by registered or certified mail, with a return receipt requested, addressed to such partnership, corporation, association, or entity at its principal office or place of business.
(2) Service of any such demand or petition may be made upon any natural person by the following methods:
(A) Delivering an executed copy of such demand or petition to the person; or
(B) Depositing an executed copy of such demand or petition in the United States mail by registered or certified mail, with a return receipt requested, addressed to the person at the person’s residence or principal office or place of business.
(f) A verified return by the individual serving any civil investigative demand or any petition filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section setting forth the manner of such service shall be proof of such service. In the case of service by registered or certified mail, such return shall be accompanied by the return post office receipt of delivery of such demand.
(g)(1) The production of documentary material in response to a civil investigative demand shall be made under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by the following:
(A) In the case of a natural person, by the person to whom the demand is directed; or
(B) In the case of a person other than a natural person, by a person having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to such production and authorized to act on behalf of such person.
(2) The certificate shall state that all of the documentary material required by the demand and in the possession, custody, or control of the person to whom the demand is directed has been produced and made available to the false claims law investigator identified in the demand.
(3) Any person upon whom any civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material has been served shall make such material available for inspection and copying to the false claims law investigator identified in such demand at the principal place of business of such person, or at such other place as the false claims law investigator and the person thereafter may agree and prescribe in writing, or as the court may direct pursuant to subsection (j)(1) of this section. Such material shall be made so available on the return date specified in such demand, or on such later date as the false claims law investigator may prescribe in writing. Such person may, upon written agreement between the person and the false claims law investigator, substitute copies for originals of all or any part of such material.
(h)(1) Each interrogatory in a civil investigative demand shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath and shall be submitted under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, as follows:
(A) In the case of a natural person, by the person to whom the demand is directed, or
(B) In the case of a person other than a natural person, by the person or persons responsible for answering each interrogatory.
(2) If any interrogatory is objected to, the reasons for the objection shall be stated in the certificate instead of an answer. The certificate shall state that all information required by the demand and in the possession, custody, control, or knowledge of the person to whom the demand is directed has been submitted. To the extent that any information is not furnished, the information shall be identified and reasons set forth with particularity regarding the reasons why the information was not furnished.
(i)(1) The examination of any person, pursuant to a civil investigative demand for oral testimony, shall be conducted before an officer authorized to administer oaths and affirmations by the laws of the United States or of the place where the examination is held. The officer before whom the testimony is taken shall put the witness under oath or affirmation and shall, personally or by someone acting under the direction of the officer and in the officer’s presence, record the testimony of the witness. The testimony shall be taken by any means authorized by, and in a manner consistent with, the Superior Court Civil Rules, and shall be transcribed.
(2) The false claims law investigator conducting the examination shall exclude from the place where the examination is held all persons except the person giving the testimony, the attorney or other representative of the person giving the testimony, the attorney for the District government, any person who may be agreed upon by the attorney for the District government and the person giving the testimony, the officer before whom the testimony is to be taken, and any stenographer taking such testimony.
(3) The oral testimony of any person taken pursuant to a civil investigative demand shall be taken in the judicial district of the United States within which such person resides, is found, or transacts business, or in such other place as may be agreed upon by the false claims law investigator conducting the examination and such person.
(4) When the testimony is fully transcribed, the false claims law investigator or the officer before whom the testimony is taken shall afford the witness, who may be accompanied by an attorney, a reasonable opportunity to examine and read the transcript, unless such examination and reading are waived by the witness. Any changes in form or substance that the witness desires shall be entered and identified upon the transcript by the officer or the false claims law investigator, with a statement of the reasons given by the witness for making such changes. The transcript shall then be signed by the witness, unless the witness in writing waives the signing, is ill, cannot be found, or refuses to sign. If the transcript is not signed by the witness within 30 days after being afforded a reasonable opportunity to examine it, the officer or the false claims law investigator shall sign it and state on the record the fact of the waiver, illness, absence of the witness, or the refusal to sign, together with the reasons, if any, given therefor.
(5) The officer before whom the testimony is taken shall certify on the transcript that the witness was sworn by the officer and that the transcript is a true record of the testimony given by the witness. The officer or false claims law investigator shall promptly deliver the transcript, or send the transcript by registered or certified mail, to the custodian.
(6) Upon payment of reasonable charges therefor, the false claims law investigator shall furnish a copy of the transcript to the witness only, except that the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may, for good cause, limit such witness to inspection of the official transcript of the witness’s testimony.
(7) Any person compelled to appear for oral testimony pursuant to a civil investigative demand may be accompanied, represented, and advised by an attorney. The attorney may advise such person, in confidence, with respect to any question asked of such person. Such person or attorney may object on the record to any question, in whole or in part, and shall briefly state for the record the reason for the objection. An objection may be made, received, and entered upon the record only when it is claimed that such person is entitled to refuse to answer the question on the grounds of any constitutional or other legal right or privilege, including the privilege against self-incrimination. Such person may not otherwise object to or refuse to answer any question, and may not, directly or through the person’s attorney, otherwise interrupt the oral examination. If such person refuses to answer any question, a petition may be filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia pursuant to subsection (d)(1) of this section for an order compelling such person to answer the question.
(8) Any person appearing for oral testimony pursuant to a civil investigative demand shall be entitled to the same fees and allowances that are paid to witnesses in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(j)(1) The Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall designate a false claims law investigator to serve as custodian of documentary material, answers to interrogatories, and transcripts of oral testimony received pursuant to this section, and shall designate such additional false claims law investigators as the Attorney General for the District of Columbia determines from time to time to be necessary to serve as deputies to the custodian.
(2)(A) A false claims law investigator who receives any documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony pursuant to this section shall transmit them to the custodian. The custodian shall take physical possession of such material, answers, or transcripts and shall be responsible for the use made of them and for the return of documentary material pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(B) The custodian may cause the preparation of such copies of such documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony as may be required for official use by any false claims law investigator, or any other officer or employee of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia who is authorized for such use by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. Such material, answers, and transcripts may be used by any authorized false claims law investigator or other officer or employee in connection with the taking of oral testimony pursuant to this section.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony, or copies thereof, while in the possession of the custodian, shall be available for examination by any individual other than a false claims law investigator or officer or employee of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia authorized pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; provided that nothing in this subparagraph is intended to prevent:
(i) The availability of material, answers, or transcripts if consent is given by the person who produced such material, answers, or transcripts;
(ii) Disclosure to the Council, including any committee of the Council;
(iii) Disclosure to the United States Attorney’s Office;
(iv) Disclosure to any other federal or state agency for use by such agency in furtherance of its statutory responsibilities; provided, that disclosure of information to any agency other than the Council or the United States Attorney’s Office shall be allowed only upon application, made by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, showing substantial need for the use of the information by such agency in furtherance of its statutory responsibilities and after giving the individuals who provided the information an opportunity to be heard on the release of the information; or
(v) Disclosure to any federal or state agency in connection with a joint case or investigation with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia provided that before disclosure, an official of the receiving agency agrees in writing to abide by the disclosure restrictions of this paragraph.
(D) While in the possession of the custodian and under such reasonable terms and conditions as the Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall prescribe, the following shall apply:
(i) Documentary material and answers to interrogatories shall be available for examination by the person who produced such material or answers, or by a representative of that person authorized by that person to examine such material and answers; and
(ii) Transcripts of oral testimony shall be available for examination by the person who produced such testimony, or by a representative of that person authorized by that person to examine such transcripts.
(3) Whenever any attorney of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is conducting any official investigation or proceeding, the custodian of any documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony received pursuant to this section may deliver to such attorney such material, answers, or transcripts for official use in connection with any such investigation or proceeding as such attorney determines to be required. Upon the completion of any such investigation or proceeding, such attorney shall return to the custodian any such material, answers, or transcripts so delivered that have not passed into the control of any court or agency through introduction into the record of any case or proceeding.
(4) If any documentary material has been produced by any person in the course of any false claims law investigation pursuant to a civil investigative demand, and any case or proceeding before a court arising out of such investigation, or any proceeding before any District government agency involving such material, has been completed, or no case or proceeding in which such material may be used has been commenced within a reasonable time after completion of the examination and analysis of all documentary material and other information assembled in the course of such investigation, the custodian shall, upon written request of the person who produced such material, return to such person any such material (other than copies furnished to the false claims law investigator pursuant to subsection (g)(2) of this section or made for the Attorney General for the District of Columbia pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection), which has not passed into the control of any court or agency through introduction into the record of such case or proceeding.
(5)(A) In the event of the death, disability, or separation from service in the Attorney General for the District of Columbia of the custodian of any documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony produced pursuant to a civil investigative demand issued pursuant to this section, or in the event of the official relief of such custodian from responsibility for the custody and control of such material, answers, or transcripts, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall promptly do the following:
(i) Designate another false claims law investigator to serve as custodian of such material, answers, or transcripts; and
(ii) Transmit in writing to the person who produced such material, answers, or testimony notice of the identity and address of the successor so designated.
(B) Any person who is designated to be a successor pursuant to this paragraph shall have, with regard to such material, answers, or transcripts, the same duties and responsibilities as were imposed by this section upon that person’s predecessor in office, except that the successor shall not be held responsible for any default or dereliction that occurred before that designation.
(k)(1) Whenever any person fails to comply with any civil investigative demand, or whenever satisfactory copying or reproduction of any material requested in such demand cannot be done and such person refuses to surrender such material, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may file in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and serve upon such person a petition for an order of such court for the enforcement of the civil investigative demand.
(2)(A) Any person who receives a civil investigative demand may file in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and serve upon the false claims law investigator identified in such demand a petition for an order of the court to modify or set aside such demand. Any petition issued pursuant to this subparagraph must be filed:
(i) Within 20 days after the date of service of the civil investigative demand, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever date is earlier; or
(ii) Within such longer period as may be prescribed in writing by any false claims law investigator identified in the demand.
(B) The petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking relief pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, and may be based upon any failure of the demand, or any particular portion thereof, to comply with the provisions of this section or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of such person. During the pendency of the petition in the court, the court may stay, as it deems proper, the running of the time allowed for compliance with the demand, in whole or in part, except that the person filing the petition shall comply with any portions of the demand not sought to be modified or set aside.
(3) At any time during which any custodian is in custody or control of any documentary material or answers to interrogatories produced, or transcripts of oral testimony given, by any person in compliance with any civil investigative demand, such person may file in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and serve upon such custodian, a petition for an order of such court to require the performance by the custodian of any duty imposed upon the custodian by this section.
(4) Whenever any petition is filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter so presented, and to enter such order or orders as may be required to carry out the provisions of this section. Any final order so entered shall be subject to appeal. Any disobedience of any final order entered pursuant to this section by any court shall be punished as contempt of court.
(5) The Superior Court Civil Rules shall apply to any petition issued pursuant to this subsection, to the extent that such rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.
(l) Any documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony provided pursuant to any civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to subchapter II of Chapter 5 of this title.
(m) For the purposes of this section, the term “person” means any natural person, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, including any state or political subdivision of a state.
§ 2-381.08. Antifraud fund. [Repealed] § 2-381.09. Penalties for false representations.
Whoever makes or presents to any officer or employee of the District of Columbia government, or to any department or agency thereof, any claim upon or against the District of Columbia, or any department or agency thereof, knowing such claim to be false, fictitious, or fraudulent, shall be imprisoned not more than one year and assessed a fine of not more than $100,000 for each violation of this chapter. The Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall prosecute violations of this section.