Vermont Agency of Natural Resources v. United States ex rel.

[1] The FCA includes a qui tam provision that a private person (the relator) may file actions on behalf of the U.S. government against any "person" who presents to the government a false or fraudulent claim for payment.

The district court denied the motion, and the Vermont state agency appealed.

The Supreme Court granted certiorari to Vermont and heard the oral argument on November 29, 1999.

The Court also held that Stevens had standing under the FCA as the Government's damages claim is partially assigned to him, citing Steel Co. v. Citizens for Better Environment, 523 U.S. 83 (1998).