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Cook County, IL v. U.S. ex rel Chandler January 14, 2003 (01-1572) return to case listing Case Summary Respondent Janet Chandler brought a quitam action under the False Claims Act (FCA) alleging that Cook County engaged in fraudulent reporting and misconduct in handling a federal research grant. The FCA authorizes civil penalties against "[a]ny person" who "knowingly presents or causes to be presented, to an officer or employee of the United States GovernmentÉa false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval" or who "conspires to defraud the Government by getting a false or fraudulent claim allowed or paid." While the District Court determined that Cook County may properly be considered a "person" under the FCA, the court dismissed RespondentÕs claim on the grounds that the county was immune from punitive damages. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed, agreeing that Cook County qualified as a "person" within the meaning of the FCA, but holding that it is not immune from the FCAÕs damages scheme. The opinion of the Seventh Circuit is found at 277 F.3d 969. To see the opinion of the lower court, click here. PREDICTED OUTCOME ACTUAL OUTCOME Forecasting Model Expert One Expert Two Expert Three 5-4 to Reverse 6-3 to Reverse n/a n/a 9-0 to Affirm VOTING TO REVERSE Rehnquist O'Connor Kennedy Thomas Breyer Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas Ginsburg VOTING TO AFFIRM Stevens Scalia Souter Ginsburg Stevens Souter Breyer Rehnquist Stevens O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Souter Thomas Ginsburg Breyer return to case listing