AT&T Technical Services Corp. to Pay U.S. more than $8.2 Million to Settle False Claims Involving the E-Rate Program
Excerpt
WASHINGTON – AT&T Technical Services Corp. (AT&T-TSCO) has agreed to pay $8,266,414.33 as part of a civil settlement relating to allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act in connection with the Federal Communication Commission's E-Rate program, the Justice Department announced today. The E-Rate program, created by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, provides funding for needy schools and libraries to connect to and utilize the Internet. Under the E-Rate program, which is funded by monies collected from telephone users, schools apply for funds to pay for hardware and monthly connectivity service fees. The FCC oversees the E-Rate program. The United States contended that AT&T-TSCO engaged in non-competitive bidding practices for E-rate contracts. Additionally, th