Rebecca Furdek recently published an article in Wisconsin Lawyer magazine reviewing the first year of the second Trump administration. She discusses three primary trends: the use of executive orders, deregulation across federal agencies, and white-collar enforcement priorities. As Rebecca explains, “[t]he second Trump term started with a splash in both the federal regulatory and enforcement
Government Enforcement, Compliance & Investigations Webinar Series: Self-Reporting and Cooperation Credit
On February 26, 2026, Laura Higbee and I presented the latest edition of Husch Blackwell’s Government Enforcement, Compliance & Investigations webinar series. During Self-Reporting and Cooperation Credit, we discussed recent revisions to DOJ’s Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP), as well as the potential benefits of voluntary self-disclosure, full cooperation, and timely and appropriate
Record Number of Qui Tams and Qui Tam Dismissals Announced by DOJ
We just released Episode 37 of the False Claims Act Insights podcast, in which I discuss the DOJ’s announcement that it received a record number of qui tams in 2025, together with Husch Blackwell partner Cormac Connor. Cormac also shares recent statements from a senior DOJ official revealing the DOJ’s False Claims Act priorities
How SEC-CFTC Harmonization Is Changing Crypto Regulation: What It Means for Your Business
After years of regulatory uncertainty, the SEC and CFTC are moving toward a unified approach to digital asset oversight, launching a joint harmonization initiative to align definitions, streamline compliance, and reduce fragmentation. For crypto and financial services firms, this effort signals clearer pathways for product development and cross‑market operations—though lasting certainty will hinge on sustained
DOJ’s Brenna Jenny Comments on Priorities for FCA Enforcement
On January 28, 2026, Brenna Jenny, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, delivered comments to False Claims Act (“FCA”) practitioners about DOJ’s FCA statistics for the previous year and some of her office’s priorities for the years ahead. Jenny leads the DOJ attorneys that handle FCA investigations nationwide. Delivered at an American Conference Institute meeting in New York, Jenny touted DOJ’s record-breaking total of settlements and judgments exceeding $6.8 billion last year and confirmed there is more to come.
DOJ’s Annual Report and Civil Fraud Leadership Suggests FCA Cases Will Dominate 2026 Enforcement Efforts
The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently released its 2025 statistics for federal False Claims Act cases. With settlements and judgments exceeding $6.8 billion last year, DOJ’s report shows that the False Claims Act (“FCA”) remains one of DOJ’s most potent and frequently-used investigation tools. The annual report also suggests that, after a year of change and turnover that touched virtually every corner and level at DOJ, the coming year will most certainly feature a historically high volume of FCA cases. Recipients of federal funds in the healthcare industry, federal contractors, and grant recipients should pay careful attention to every claim for payment or compliance certification submitted to any federal authority.
Vicarious Liability Under the False Claims Act and Rogue Employees
We just released Episode 36 of the False Claims Act Insights podcast with Husch Blackwell partner Lorinda Holloway where we discussed how the acts of employees can be held against organizations for False Claims Act purposes. Vicarious liability can be an odd fit with the False Claims Act, and courts take a few different approaches
Civil Rights Fraud Investigations Into DEI Programs Are Underway
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative (CRFI), launched in May 2025, marks a significant expansion of federal scrutiny over DEI programs among recipients of federal funds. The initiative leverages the False Claims Act and encourages whistleblowers to report potential civil rights violations tied to DEI practices. Early investigations have targeted major corporations and universities, with
State False Claims Act Enforcement is on the Rise
We just released Episode 35 of the False Claims Act Insights podcast where I discussed the growing amount of state-level False Claims Act enforcement with Husch Blackwell partners Rebecca Furdek and Todd Gee.
State FCA enforcement varies widely from state to state, but an increasing number of states are using FCA to combat different
Modern Criminal Forfeiture: Constitutional Limits and Practical Realities
In white-collar criminal cases, forfeiture is one of the most consequential sentencing components, yet it remains overlooked and misunderstood by practitioners. The U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit’s recent decision in United States v. Ng Chong Hwa demonstrates why a thorough understanding of forfeiture is essential.