United States v. Pentec Health, Inc.

EDUARDO C. ROBRENO, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Before the Court are two related and recurring questions, often raised but rarely saluted. First, how long may the Government take to investigate a False Claims Act qui tam claim before it decides whether or not to intervene? And second, how long should the matter remain under seal while the Government investigates?

In this False Claims Act qui tam action filed under seal five years ago, the Government has requested the Court to reconsider its decision to deny an eleventh extension to the period of the seal. The Act allows a qui tam plaintiff,…