United States of America, Ex Rel., Walter M. Drake v. Norden Systems, Inc., and United Technologies Corporation

CARDAMONE, Circuit Judge.

This appeal arises from the involuntary dismissal of plaintiff Walter M. Drake’s (plaintiff or relator) civil action against a government defense contractor, defendant Norden Systems, Inc., now known as NSI, Inc. (Norden), and its corporate parent, defendant United Technologies Corporation (United Technologies). Drake, a Nor-den accountant, brought his action on behalf of the United States alleging that the defendants had made false claims for payment and otherwise defrauded the government in violation of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733 (2000). The…