On October 22, 2024, the Department of Justice announced a False Claims Act (FCA) settlement related to a government contractor’s failure to adhere to certain cybersecurity requirements. Specifically, Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) has agreed to pay US$1.25M to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in fifteen contracts or subcontracts involving the Department of Defense (DOD) or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The DOJ announcement is available here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsylvania-state-university-agrees-pay-125m-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations-relating.

The Biden Administration has started 2023 with a jammed pipeline of major regulatory actions relating to climate and other major environmental matters. For those interested in participating in the public comment processes, the clock is ticking. Here is a rundown of impending deadlines for public comment for some of the most significant rulemakings from the EPA and other federal agencies.