PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. is suing a maritime agency and its president over claims it fraudulently overstated its services.
The United States of America filed a lawsuit Dec. 29 in the Portland Division of the District of Oregon against Pacific Coast Maritime Agency (PCMA) and Paul Sogotis, alleging violations of the False Claims Act.
The suit states the defendants engaged in systematic and fraudulent overstatement of services they rendered to the U.S. Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD). Specifically, the suit states PCMA altered invoices to increase certain charges and delete discounts, resulting in MARAD overpaying PCMA in excess of $56,000.
The plaintiff seeks treble damages, civil penalties up to $11,000 per false claim and interest. The plaintiff is represented by U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy J. Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Evans of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Portland.
Portland Division of the District of Oregon Case number 3:15-CV-02415-ST