AECOM Paid $11.8 Million to Resolve Hurricane Katrina Disaster-Relief False Claims Allegations

Summary

In October 2023, AECOM agreed to pay $11.8 million to resolve U.S. False Claims Act allegations involving disaster-assistance requests prepared for educational facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The Justice Department alleged that, while serving as a technical-assistance contractor supporting FEMA recovery efforts, AECOM submitted fraudulent requests containing materially false descriptions of damage, design and replacement eligibility. The government alleged that AECOM supervisors reviewed and failed to correct applications containing false information. The settlement resolved civil allegations only and there was no determination of liability. Source: U.S. Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/aecom-pay-118-million-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations-connection-hurricane-disaster