FCA Relator Sanctioned Nearly $170,000 For Improperly Taking Employer's Privileged Documents

A US District Court Judge for the District of Alaska sanctioned a relator nearly $170,000 for copying hundreds of confidential documents, including privileged documents, that belonged to his former employer for use in his False Claims Act (FCA) case against the company. U.S. ex rel. Ferris v. Afognak Native Corp., No. 3:15-cv-00150-HRH, Dkt. No. 328 (D. Alaska October 18, 2017). Defendant Afognak Native Corp. alleged that the relator, Afognak's former chief compliance officer, improperly obtained the company's confidential and privileged documents outside of the discovery process, retained the documents in violation of his employment contract, and relied upon the documents to support his litigation against the company.