TALEO CORP WILL PAY NEARLY $6 ½ MILLION TO RESOLVE CASE REGARDING FALSE CLAIMS ACT ALLEGATIONS

The following excerpt is from the Department of Justice website:
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
“WASHINGTON - Taleo Corp. has agreed to pay the United States $6.49 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly caused false claims to be submitted to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Justice Department announced today.
In 2002, CPS Human Resource Services contracted with TSA to perform human resource services. Taleo, which is based in Dublin, Calif., subcontracted with CPS to provide supporting software. Taleo’s subcontract stated that Taleo would charge its commercial list rates with certain discounts.
The United States alleged that Taleo's commercial list rates were usually based on a customer's actual number of employees, but that Taleo charged TSA a higher rate that was not based on the agency's actual number of employees. If Taleo had followed the normal procedure, the rate TSA was charged would have been lower.
“Those who do business with federal agencies must be honest and play by the rules,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “We are committed to protecting taxpayer dollars by pursuing contractors who overcharge the government.”
The government’s investigation was conducted by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and DHS’ Office of Inspector General.
This settlement resolves allegations filed by a former Taleo employee under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, United States ex rel. Hetland v. Taleo Corp., No. 08-cv-0801 (CKK) (D.D.C.). The False Claims Act authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for fraud and to share in any recovery.
“This settlement demonstrates our office’s continued commitment to target companies that “pad” their prices in an attempt to “pad” their pockets,” said Ronald C. Machen Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. “This office is committed to protecting the public and recovering funds that were obtained through misrepresentations, fraud, and abuse.”
This settlement is part of the government’s aggressive efforts to combat fraud through the use of powerful enforcement tools such as the False Claims Act. The Justice Department's total recoveries in False Claims Act cases since January 2009 are more than $7.5 billion.”