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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

AT&T Inc.

False Claims Involving E-Rate Program in Missouri

Date: 10/13/2009 (Date of Announcement)

Misconduct Type: Consumer Affairs

Enforcement Agency: FCC

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Civil

Amount: $1,400,000

Disposition: Settlement

Synopsis: AT&T Missouri (f/k/a Southwestern Bell Telephone L.P.) agreed to pay the United States $1.4 million to settle a civil lawsuit alleging that the company violated the False Claims Act in connection with the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program, which uses funds collected from customers to provide Internet service to needy schools and libraries. The government contended that AT&T Missouri provided false information to the E-Rate program, engaged in non-competitive bidding practices for E-Rate contracts, colluded with Kansas City school officials to award contracts to the company, extended contracts in violation of E-Rate rules and provided meals and other inducements to school system employees.