October Term 2002 · Docket 01-1572
Does the False Claims Act cover local governments?
Cook County argues the law excludes local entities. The government says the law covers them.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Lach argued the term person remains unchanged since 1863.
Mr. Stewart argued the law targets deliberate efforts to cheat the government.
Mr. Stewart stated the side that brought the case identified no legitimate ground for exclusion.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 3-5
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The False Claims Act targets fraud against the federal government. The term person remains undefined. The Court must decide if local governments fit this term.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 14, 2003.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
Cook County wants the Court to exclude local governments from the law.
The government wants the Court to include local governments in the law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
What each side says
Cook County argues Congress did not intend to include local governments.
The government argues the law covers all entities that cheat the federal government.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 3-5
Why it matters
Local governments face financial liability for federal fraud. The law defines who must pay penalties. This case sets the scope of federal fraud enforcement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 3-5
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-29
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.