Fraud has no bounds: Kansas School District charged with fraud for E-Rate Internet programs
Recently the The Kansas City, Mo., School District came under fire for making false claims and statements regarding the Federal E-rate program from 2002-2006 according to the has agreed to the Justice Department. The school district has agreed to give up more than $13.6 million in claims for federal money and to pay the United States $66,000 as a civil settlement to settle the false claims regarding the Federal Communication Commission's E-Rate program.
“The E-Rate Program makes federally mandated funds available to the poorest schools in the nation for Internet access and wiring,” said Peter D. Keisler, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. “False claims to this very important federal program will not be tolerated.”
The United States learned of the allegations settled by Kansas City School District when a relator, American Fiber Systems Inc., filed a qui tam or whistleblower action in May 2006. The settlement resolves both the relator’s and the United States’ claims against Kansas City School District.
This case shows their is no discrimination where justice is concerned. The government will prosecute any organization for fraud. Three cheers for the relator, American Fiber Systems for helping to uncover the fraud.
Click here to read more from the Department of Justice and from the Kansas Business Journal.
