Parsons Government Services Inc., False Claims, South Carolina 2023

Parsons Government Services Inc., a Pasadena, California-based company, has agreed to pay the United States $3.8 million to settle allegations that the company knowingly mischarged the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for ineligible or inflated short-term and long-term employee relocation costs in connection with its contract on the DOE Salt Waste Processing Facility Project (SWPF) at the DOE Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina.

The company, which has been the primary construction contractor on the DOE’s SWPF project since September 1, 2002, sought and obtained reimbursement for relocation expenses under the SWPF contract even for employees it knew did not qualify for these payments under the terms of the contract.

“Those who expect to do business with the government must do so fairly and honestly,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that the Department of Justice will pursue contractors that knowingly seek taxpayer funds to which they are not entitled.”

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of South Carolina, the DOE Savannah River Operations Office, and the DOE Office of Inspector General.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

“The District of South Carolina continues to devote significant resources to pursuing claims under the False Claims Act and this is yet another example of how this commitment is benefiting the taxpayers by recovering funds for the government,” said U.S. Attorney William N. Nettles of the District of South Carolina.

Parsons Government Services Inc. will pay the United States $3.8 million to settle the allegations, which were brought under the False Claims Act.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/respondent real full name or legal entity name: Parsons Government Services Inc. Exact criminal charges: Knowingly mischarging the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for ineligible or inflated short-term and long-term employee relocation costs. City and state: Aiken, South Carolina. Exact date with month/day/year: N/A. Sentence or outcome: Pay $3.8 million to settle the allegations. Dollar amounts where applicable: $3.8 million.

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