Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/75701406/QUI-TAM-Singer-v-Hart-Inter-Civic-Original-Complaint
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 19:29:33+00:00

Document:
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO Civil Case No. __________________ WILLIAM R.
to the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (“HAVA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 15301 et seq. Mr. Singer worked as a computer technician for Hart from 2001 through early 2004 (at times as Hart’s only computer technician nationwide). As such Mr. Singer was privy to intimate details concerning the hardware and software comprising the electronic voting system that Hart attempted to certify and market throughout the nation. Mr. Singer frequently accompanied Hart representatives to perform demonstrations, testing, and support maintenance of the machines in various locations, and thus heard firsthand a number of misstatements made by Hart in its attempts to win voting system contracts, as well as misstatements made to conceal the voting machines’ frailties and vulnerabilities. In January 2004, Mr. Singer resigned from Hart under protest, citing many of the fraudulent acts and misrepresentations giving rise to this action. In July 2004, Mr. Singer wrote the Secretaries of State for the States of Texas and Ohio, to alert them to Hart’s misconduct. He received no substantive response. Mr. Singer provided discrete bits of information to the press in hopes of attracting attention to Hart’s misconduct. Having “accomplished nothing” in Mr. Singer’s words, he decided to seek legal redress. PARTIES 2. Relator William Singer is a citizen of the State of Texas. 3. Defendant Hart InterCivic, Inc. is a foreign corporation that has since 2000 been registered to do business in Colorado (ID 20001002610). Its principal office is in Texas.
States, together with a written disclosure statement setting forth and enclosing all material evidence and information he possesses, pursuant to the requirements of 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2). 10. Mr. Singer has complied with all other conditions precedent to bringing this action. 11. Mr. William Singer is the original source of, and has direct and independent knowledge of, all publicly disclosed information on which any allegations herein might be deemed based, and has voluntarily provided such information to the Government before filing this action. Specific disclosures include: (i) letters to the Secretaries of State for Ohio and Texas in July 2004; (ii) subsequent letters to the AGs for Ohio and Texas; (iii) disclosures to David Allen of blackboxvoting.com; (iv) an interview with Wired Magazine (never published); (v) disclosures to “Brett” of VelvetRevolution, who referred Mr. Singer to Brad Friedman of BradBlog; (vi) disclosures to BradBlog; (vii) interviews for an uncompleted and yet-to-be aired documentary; (viii) disclosures to ABC News (never published or aired); (ix) a letter to Congressman John Conyers; (x) an interview with, and open letter to, the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, and (xi) republication on numerous websites of the original BradBlog and blackboxvoting disclosures. (Composite Ex. 1, Copies of All Known Available Disclosures).
S. 42 U.S. HAVA initially provided federal funding to states conditioned upon the states’ certification that the federal funds would be used to improve elections.C.S. 15304(a)(2). privacy and ballot confidentiality. The initial appropriation of so-called “early out money” was for $650 million. §§ 15301 et seq.C.C. and accessibility of voting machines. In short.S. To qualify for federal funds. § 15302. 5 . § 15481. One-half of the “early out money” was appropriated specifically for replacement of punch card and lever voting systems. and maximum permissible error rates. 42 U.S.FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS The Help America Vote Act. Failure of a state to comply with federal requirements by given deadlines would oblige the state to repay federal monies. accuracy. including the improvement and replacement of existing voting systems. 42 U. § 15304(a). accessibility features that enable disabled voters to vote privately and independently and that enable voting in alternative languages. HAVA mandates reliability.C.C. § 15302(d).S. 13. 42 U. 42 U. verifiability. 12. creation of a permanent paper record for audit purposes. 42 U. the newer machines—including optical scanning and direct recording electronic systems—were and remain subject to a number of minimum functional requirements including the capacity for voters to verify and correct errors in their selections before casting their ballots.C. security. § 15301(a)-(b). In 2002 HAVA became law.
” HAVA also provides for additional. 16. A state qualifies for “requirements payments” so long as the chief state election official files written confirmation that the state complies with HAVA’s minimum requirements. HAVA requires each participating state to create a “state plan” setting forth. The state plan must explain how the state will adopt guidelines consistent with HAVA’s minimum requirements found at 42 U. 15. § 15407. Each state must establish a separate election fund for receipt and expenditure of federal monies received pursuant to HAVA. 42 U.C. § 15403(a)-(b). § 15481 and described in part at ¶ 13 above.S. how the state will distribute and monitor federal funds. ongoing payments to states (known as “requirements payments”). among other things. including the filing of a state plan as described above. § 15404(a). 15404(a)(4). and how the state will adopt voting system guidelines consistent with HAVA’s minimum requirements.C. In addition to the $650 million dollars in “early out money” appropriated under HAVA. In addition to “early out money. what criteria will apply to determine the eligibility of local governments and other entities to receive the funds.S.S.C.C. HAVA likewise authorized the expenditure of an additional $100 million during FY 2003-2005 to carry out the 6 . 42 U. 42 U.S.S. 42 U. § 15404(b). the Act authorized federal payments to the states totaling $3 billion in public “requirements payments” during FY 2003-2005.14.C. to remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
The EAC also is charged with promulgating standards ensuring the security of voting systems. decertification. 15342. § 15443. These labs commonly are referred to as Independent 7 .S.provisions of the Act mandating access to polling places for voters with disabilities. certification.S. to remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.C.000 in FY 2003 and as-needed thereafter). § 15361(e)(2). 42 U. Voting Systems Certification 17. 18. 42 U.C. Under HAVA’s statutory scheme.S. HAVA also established the Election Assistance Commission (“EAC”). § 15462. the EAC is authorized to accredit independent. and funds for mock elections ($200. § 15424. non-federal laboratories to carry out the testing. § 15453. The EAC is charged with overseeing the development of voluntary voting system guidelines and the promulgation of rules governing the testing. 42 U.C. § 15472. 42 U. § 15321. §§ 15322. 15371. 42 U. 42 U.C.C.C. 42 U.S.C.C.C. and recertification of voting systems. testing of new voting technologies ($10 million in FY 2003).S.S. 42 U. payments for disabled protection and advocacy systems ($60 million during FY 2003-2006 and as-needed thereafter). and recertification of voting system hardware and software.S. § U. certification.S. decertification. Additional federal monies were allocated for research grants relating to voting technology ($20 million in FY 2003).S.
The EAC has effectively delegated oversight of federal voting systems standards certification to the National Association of State Election Directors (“NASED”).and make the vendor be specific -. Be sure to be specific -. Make them put in writing that the version they are selling you is “identical” to the version which was tested and NASED qualified. In NASED’s words.Test Authorities (“ITAs”). States may provide for testing. nased.03. and recertification of voting systems by the ITAs.C. 21. Testing is paid for by the vendors and is performed in secret by the ITAs. decertification. § 15371. which is indicated by issuance of a certification number for each certified model. certification. NASED warns purchasers of voting machines “Make sure you know. The ITAs’ detailed reports are deemed confidential and are not publicly disclosed (though some have been disclosed to the press and some produced in 8 . 20. Voting machine vendors submit their voting systems and system modifications for testing under the NASED program. 42 U. NASED qualifies only specific models. which has approved certain ITAs (though none is yet certified by the EAC) to certify voting system compliance with federal standards. from the vendor what has and has not been tested. in writing.pdf) (emphasis in original). “Models which are not identical are not NASED qualified. 19.org/ITA%20Information/NASEDApprovedSystems1.” (Publicly available at: http://www.about the version and revision of software.S.
S. Only the ITAs’ and NASED’s final decision on qualification is made public. the 2002 standards were in effect as a matter of federal law. state-by-state. 24. Pursuant to 42 U. 23. 2002. Vendors such as Defendant Hart engage in a highly competitive bidding process. § 15481 (referenced in ¶ 13 above).S. making multiple sales presentations and deploying their respective voting systems in mock and actual elections. Every 9 . and often county-by-county. The most recently adopted VSS were the 2002 VSS. A state may or may not adopt the 1990 or 2002 VSS. 2006.C.C. 22. mandated by 42 U. which were adopted by the FEC on April 29. Hence. distinct from those in the 1990 and 2002 VSS. during most of the time period relevant to this complaint (2001-2004). § 15362(e). Each state maintains its own standards for certification of machines. the EAC (through NASED) inexplicably continued to qualify voting systems based upon the 1990 VSS and vendors were not required to comply with the 2002 VSS until January 1. however. but the 1990 standards were utilized in testing and qualifying voting systems. In no event may a state employ standards less stringent than the minimum requirements.response to public records requests after vendors have given copies to elections officials). the voting system standards (“VSS”) most recently adopted by the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) were deemed adopted by the EAC upon passage of HAVA.
or legal compliance of a vendor’s voting system. accessibility. A substantial share of HAVA funds has been directed to voting system vendors such as Hart. both for the voting systems themselves and for the vendors’ technical and election support. 25. is a false “claim” in violation of the False Claims Act. 27. 28. 29.representation made by a given vendor to state and local government officials during the course of this process is made in an effort to obtain payment of federal (HAVA) funds. accuracy. The vast majority of state and local governments employ electronic voting 10 . security. verifiability. virtually every purchase by any state or local entity of any electronic voting system was made in whole or in part with federal funds. Voting Systems 26. Since the passage of HAVA. or any part of it. and purchase of any electronic voting system necessarily involved the payment of federal funds. every knowing misrepresentation by a vendor to a state or local governmental official regarding the testing. reliability. Accordingly. Vendors were instrumental in the passage of HAVA and all were aware that the testing. certification. Any post-certification alteration of a voting system’s software or hardware without recertification would effectively create a different (and uncertified) system distinct from the system originally considered and purchased by a given customer.
The integrity of electronic voting systems is a matter of paramount public importance. Optical scan technology (a/k/a marksense) typically uses a “bubble sheet” that is filled in by the voter and then is fed into a scanner. which counts the votes. Sequoia. On a DRE.e. The votes are recorded electronically. the voter typically enters votes using a touchscreen or.machines manufactured by one of four major vendors—Diebold. 33. and/or Defendant Hart.. an audio or other alternative interface. selected more than the permitted number of candidates for a given office. HAVA requires use of scanners capable of informing a voter that he or she has “overvoted. HAVA permits use of a central scanner without this capability. 32. 30. And serious errors have occurred. Hart’s eSlate voting system is a DRE. and allowing the voter to correct this mistake before the scanner counts the votes.” i. In March of this year during a real-world primary. For absentee marksense ballots. The voter cannot verify that the electronic ballot mirrors the ballot displayed on the computer screen. The machine ordinarily stores the voting results data in a removable memory component. for some disabled voters. If voting machines are unreliable. the entire democratic process is thrown into doubt. Electronic voting systems generally fall into one of two types—optical scan and direct recording electronic (“DRE”). 31.000 phantom votes (increasing the 11 . ES&S. a glitch in Hart’s voting system created 100.
Texas (“poll workers fielded numerous complaints from voters . in Orange County. (Composite Ex. Texas (voters told to come back later when machines repaired). and in Boulder County. . California (machines broken. Texas. Texas.000 to more than 158. in Harris County.000). In Tom Green County. “[h]undreds of voters turned away from the polls” and “more ballots cast than registered voters” and “at least 5. forcing voters to resort to emergency paper ballots. in Tarrant County. Hart machines were accused of “not printing ballots for every vote cast on the machines.” causing the suspension of a recount. in Honolulu. caused delayed vote counts and suffered other malfunctions. Since 2003. Hawaii (“machine flashed a low battery indicator after [voter] selected his party [then] flashed a ‘cast ballot’ indicator and his ballot was accepted before he was able to vote for anyone” and “a couple of dozen Green Party ballots were recorded. during the same primary election. Hart voting systems have been publicly cited for errors in real-world elections including. among many others. in Richmond. the system found more damaged races on the same ballot and read another race as an ‘undervote’”). 2.”). . 12 . Colorado (“the system could not process information for an individual race [and] the second time through.voter turnout from 58. even though there were no candidates”).500 voters had their ballots tabulated for the wrong precincts” while “an exact account of miscast ballots [was] impossible”). During the same election Hart units in Galveston County. Selected Media Stories re Hart Election Failures). . Virginia (voting machine “fried”).
The eSlate system is comprised of several distinct components.Hart’s eSlate System 34. Taylor County. The eSlate units are physically connected to the JBC. The eSlate may be equipped with a disabled access unit (“DAU”) for use by disabled voters. 13 . the MBB supplies election information and ballot styles. It is used to store and transfer election information. Data is entered once into BOSS and then flows through all components of the eSlate system. 37. The Ballot Origination Software System (“BOSS”) is used by election officials to define and create individualized electronic ballots. eSlate refers to the system generally and to the device that voters use to cast ballots. portable flash memory card. unless using paper ballots. enabling poll workers to know which voting booths are in use at any time. which stores cast-vote records. Hart’s electronic (DRE) voting system is known as eSlate. When inserted into the Judge’s Booth Controller (see ¶ 37). Texas. The JBC issues access codes for the voters’ use. and it stores cast votes. in which case Ballot Now is used—see ¶ 42. eSlate Voting Instructions). 36. (Ex. It can control up to 12 daisy-chained eSlate units. The Judge’s Booth Controller (“JBC”) is the “brain” that manages the system. 3. 35. The Mobile Ballot Box (“MBB”) is a reusable. 38. Once voting has concluded the MBB is removed and its contents are tallied by the Tally software (see ¶ 39).
as Hart claims). 42. They then vote and the votes are stored on the eSlate. When voters arrive they are given a JBC-generated PIN number that they enter on the eSlate. 14 . Tally is a software application that reads. and produces various reports. and tabulates the cast-vote records from the MBB (the portable flash card that transferred the cast-vote records from the JBC). and resolution of mailed-in paper ballots. storing. election officials create ballots using BOSS. SERVO also is designed for various recount purposes. and election day results. SERVO is designed to recover data from equipment in the case of a lost or damaged MBB. The ballot definitions are fed by the JBC to the eSlates attached to it (including at least one DAU needed to comply with the HAVA disability access requirement). Tally tabulates all early voting. and JBC (though not in identical form. Rally is a software application that is capable of reading. stores.39. scanning. 41. In a typical election. and transferring cast-vote data from polling places or collection centers with respect to early returns. MBB. It also records the electronic castvote records to an MBB to be read and tabulated with Tally. absentee. 43. Ballot Now is a digital-scan paper ballot system that manages the printing. The System for Election Records and Verification Operations (“SERVO”) software is an election records archiving and asset management system. A “zero tape” is run on the JBC to ensure no votes reside in the system. 40.
and Ballot Now version 1. The review concluded that Mr.3. some version of eSlate was certified in at least 20 states. 1/3/03). 2001.6. Internal Hart Spreadsheet Indicating Certification Status). In or about May 2002.08.3.The cast-vote records stored on the MBB (itself located inside the JBC) are removed and loaded into Tally by physical transfer of the MBB card.8. (See generally Ex. 2. Relator William Singer 48. (Ex.11. and 2.15. NASED List of Qualified Systems. 5).08.21. 5). 4.3. for Defendant Hart from November 26. 45. NASED qualified (using the 1990 VSS) BOSS versions 2. including BOSS version 2. including “Subject Matter Expertise” and “Job Knowledge” in 15 . 2004. i. 2002. including Colorado. NASED qualified (using the 1990 VSS) the eSlate 3000 DRE Precinct. and 2.1.0. Tally versions 2. 2. Singer’s annual Performance Review dated November 25. 5. Singer worked as a technical services specialist. On or about November 1. Mr.8 and Tally version 2.15. a computer technician.5. including JBC version 1.10. 6. Singer was “highly effective” in several fields.. until January 5. 44.07. A day-end report also is printed using the JBC. 49. (Ex.e. By 2003.0. (Ex. Attached as Exhibit 7 is an electronic copy of Mr. 47. 46. (Ex. NASED qualified (using the 1990 VSS) the eSlate 3000 DRE Precinct Voting Machine version 1. Election Flowchart & System Interface Graphic from 2003 Compuware Review of eSlate System & Hart’s eSlate Architecture Graphic). In or about March 2002.2. 2001.
eSlate configuration.” and he was lauded for his “tireless dedication and willing spirit. Mr. tracking changes in the eSlate system and communicating them to customers. and preparing the system components for certification tests performed by outside entities. including setup and monitoring of machines during actual elections. Mr. setting up and transporting purchased voting machines.his role as a technical services specialist. Mr. software. Singer’s responsibilities included providing tech support for all Hart voting systems hardware and software. At the time Mr. Singer received an “Overall Rating” of “highly effective. After approximately one year the computer technician staff was reduced to Mr. database storage. Mr. gathering system specifications and build quotes for customers. and general research of new hardware. training of other employees on the voting systems. Singer and one other technician. Singer was 16 . The details of his work included inventory control. Singer was hired. Singer was the only computer technician at Hart. For a period of several months during 2003. As a technical specialist. and utilities.” 50. 51. demonstrations. setting up voting machines for sales demonstrations. testing the computer equipment. serving account managers—including assistance with election procedures and hardware issues. buying and shipping equipment. Singer’s “strongest attribute” given his “high level of expertise” and “in-depth knowledge and technical skills. he was one of three computer technicians on Hart’s staff.” The review deemed “Job Knowledge” Mr.
Singer accompanied Hart representatives on sales presentations throughout the United States and has personal knowledge of the sales methods and messages routinely employed by Hart. Singer was reassured on such occasions that he did not have the “big picture” or “all of the facts. During the course of his employment Mr. 52. Mr. 57. Singer deemed deceptive. 53. He traveled on one occasion to provide technical support during a state certification (Ohio). Travis Harrell. Singer repeatedly voiced concerns to his supervisor.” and that if he had. Mr. Mr. any changes to the eSlate system. The voting system often was used in actual elections as a part of product marketing. trainers. testing. He witnessed acts. Singer’s advice on how best to translate technical issues into common parlance for sales presentations. These responses quelled Mr. Singer frequently traveled to provide technical support during actual elections. Singer’s participation simultaneously supported real-world elections and system sales. 56.at various times responsible for tracking. Mr. so that Mr. 54. omissions. he would not be concerned. regarding acts and omissions by Hart that Mr. 55. Singer helped to maintain the salespersons’ “personal” demonstration models. Sales personnel regularly sought Mr. and communicating to account managers. salespeople. and the like. Singer’s concerns until approximately the time he became the only technical specialist at Hart. and 17 .
61. 8. Mr. Singer subsequently disclosed those letters to the press. (Ex. .misrepresentations that could not be explained away as anything other than false and fraudulent conduct. undated). Singer wrote to the Secretaries of State for the States of Texas and Ohio advising them of Hart’s misdeeds in hopes that this would prompt an official investigation into the company’s practices. and which confirmed his prior suspicions of same. In July 2004. advising them that if they remained at Hart and supported the company. (Ex. After departing from Hart. 18 . including to BlackBoxVoting. 60. In January 2004. He cited specific acts of misconduct and “fraud” and closed with his hope that “this letter has some positive impact in creating change . 59. . “[d]ue primarily to unresolved ethical differences” with the company. Singer sent an email to his closest associates at Hart explaining that Hart had been spreading misinformation about him. Singer Email to Hart Associates. Singer engaged counsel only after exhausting these other avenues. 9. to BradBlog. Mr. Singer resigned from the company. 58. Mr. he could no longer protect their names in any disclosures he might make about the company. 1. (Composite Ex. Mr. so that I am the last person that has to leave for the sake of their conscience.com—a web log known for its coverage of election-related issues. Mr.” (Ex 8). later. Copies of All Known Available Disclosures). Singer Resignation Letter).com and.
Failure to Test Software Properly. and conducted no external beta testing. of comprehensive tests for all software produced professionally. it failed to completely alpha test its software and did not beta test it at all. Frequently beta testing itself involves several stages. Hart’s alpha tester Seiji Okamoto and its BOSS programmer Bill Barstad physically showed Mr. Singer stacks of “incomplete” testing documents relating to products that had been sent for ITA testing. 63. or waves. Alpha and beta testing are standard practices within the industry and represent the first and second groups. Mr. Singer’s tenure with Hart (November 2001-January 2004). During Mr. Hart’s failure to beta test its voting system 19 . Create Beta Test (internal) group”). Singer has firsthand knowledge that Hart routinely failed to adequately test its software. Most fundamentally.Background Facts & Hart’s False Claims 62. Hart had no beta test group. Each described act or omission was knowingly committed by Hart in an attempt to secure federal funds through purchase of its voting systems or was knowingly committed by Hart in an attempt to retain federal funds already paid it and to avoid disgorgement of those funds. 11/26/02) (“6. respectively. he acquired firsthand knowledge of the false claims described below. some of which may be external to the company producing the software. Specifically. On separate occasions. 10. had no one tasked with performing beta tests. (Ex. Alpha and beta testing are designed to catch major and minor flaws. Singer Email re “Top Ten” Product Improvement Suggestions.
operate. Mr. Singer. Hart used an alpha tester (Seiji Okamoto) to 20 . Nevertheless. At the time of the testing (mid-2003). As such he maintained current corporate documentation (as well as personal documentation) of Hart’s system configurations. Faked Certification Tests. accept. install. even the slightest change in configuration results in a distinct system—H 2 O (water) is quite different from H 2 O 2 (hydrogen peroxide). It was impossible for Hart to set up the Ohio certification system according to its standard customer configurations without consulting Mr. Mr. test. and every claim for payment relating to purchases made in reliance upon such representations. Configurations may be thought of as technical descriptions needed to build. maintain. accuracy. A “configuration” describes the physical combination of hardware components that make up a system and the software settings that allow various hardware components of a computer system to communicate with one another as desired. Singer has firsthand knowledge that Hart created a “dummy” machine to obtain system certification in at least one state—Ohio. 64. or compliance with legal requirements. Singer was the only person at Hart who performed system setups for customers and for virtually all demonstrations. and was the only person at Hart who knew where current configuration documentation was stored.renders false or fraudulent every representation Hart made to potential purchasers regarding the system’s reliability. Analogizing to a chemical compound. security. and support a system.
set up the “demo” system to be tested in Ohio. He received no explanation why the programming team was used for the demo setup and why non-standard configurations were employed. Singer knew that eSlate could not produce such a report. the Ohio Secretary of State’s office asked whether the eSlate system could generate a specific form of report (an “election abstract”). Mr. Travis Harrell. Mr. Dummy Reports to Election Officials. It could not. 65. Singer has firsthand knowledge that Hart created at least one dummy report during the Ohio certification process. Mr. Because this would affect and possibly preclude certification. Mr. Singer knew that the standard configurations could not have passed certification tests. a Hart representative (Sheri Charleston) physically created a mock-up or dummy document that appeared as if it were an eSlategenerated document demonstrating the system’s ability to produce an election abstract. Hart knowingly misrepresented the dummy report as a standard report within its system in a successful 21 . Specifically. enabling Hart to pursue and procure federal funds from the sale of its voting system. Hart knowingly misrepresented the dummy system as its standard system in a successful effort to obtain system certification. explaining that Hart was making misrepresentations during the state certification test by holding out the dummy system as its standard system without altering the standard system to conform to the tested configurations after-the-fact. Singer confronted his supervisor.
. Singer has firsthand knowledge that Hart presented its voting system as one that stored votes in a random manner. Specifically. Based upon statements in that report.effort to obtain system certification. Singer reasonably infers that Hart manufactured dummy reports regarding a disaster plan and security audits. (Ex. Based upon Mr. 66. Dummy Reports to InfoSentry. suggesting complete randomization. enabling Hart to pursue and procure federal funds from the sale of its voting system. and there was no technical consultation. as did Hart principals. 11). Mr. enabling Hart to pursue and procure federal funds from the sale of its voting system. Semi-Random Vote Storage. and that Hart submitted those reports for review by InfoSentry to give the false appearance of Hart’s (and. the eSlate system stores votes in a sequentially random format 22 . Based upon Mr. Singer’s personal knowledge of the system’s vote storage. he knows this to be untrue. by implication. Singer’s attendance at sales representations and based upon Hart’s promotional literature he encountered. Valid reports of this sort. Mr. as described in the InfoSentry report. Inc. eSlate’s) true capabilities. could not have been generated without consulting the technical team. is an independent testing service that was hired by the State of Ohio in 2003 to perform a security assessment of all computer voting systems and vendors in Ohio. 67. InfoSentry Services. Hart knowingly presented the dummy reports in a successful effort to obtain system certification.
Singer discovered that the system’s BOSS software audit trail had invalid entries. The fix was never certified and Hart concealed the fix from all customers.that is not truly random. Audit Trails. Mr. Mr. 68. 23 . Thereafter Hart routinely knowingly concealed this security flaw and thus misrepresented the security of its voting system in a successful effort to obtain system certification. It was corrected in some jurisdictions where Hart had customers. 12. enabling Hart to pursue and procure federal funds from the sale of its voting system. While generating a sample of each report the eSlate system could produce. BOSS’s audit trail had invalid entries. Singer alerted the company to this security flaw. Mr. The system could have been designed so that votes were completely randomized. Singer alerted his supervisor. Because the vote order changes with the system’s redundancy (recording votes simultaneously in various locations). Singer Email re CVR Reports. Travis Harrell. thus rendering every BOSS audit report false. but not in others. to this vulnerability. An audit trail is a security feature that tracks everyone who has logged in to the system and records every modification made to it. Hart knowingly misrepresented the randomization of vote storage to make the system appear secure and compliant with HAVA and VSS standards in a successful effort to obtain system certification. 11/1/02). (Ex. the system could be exploited with the machine timestamp and identity to determine with some accuracy how a specific person voted. enabling Hart to pursue and procure federal funds from the sale of its voting system.
Toward the end of Mr. The results of this testing were concealed from past and prospective purchasers. Hart knowingly concealed this system flaw from purchasers until it was encountered. Hart marketed a memory card reading device called an M2B3. Hart’s standard sales presentations and promotional materials contained misstatements regarding the system. the company began marketing System 3—a new version of eSlate. 70. System 3 Redundancy. Earlier eSlate versions were touted as tripleredundant in part because lost votes could be recovered through a program called JBC 24 . These misrepresentations were made with the intent to avoid any sort of repayment of federal funds already spent on the M2B3 devices and with the successful intent to sell voting systems. Singer’s tenure with Hart. Hart was anxious to have System 3 perform in an actual election so that the company could tout that fact in subsequent sales presentations. Texas. Corrupt M2B3 Devices. internal testing revealed that the M2B3 was not faster. which were purchased with federal funds. as occurred in Tarrant and Harris Counties.1 to subsequent purchasers.69. Hart continuously misrepresented M2B3 capabilities when selling version 2. Specifically. However. claiming that it was faster and less prone to corrupt MBB data than were the card readers Hart previously sold. nor did it entirely resolve the data corruption issues of concern. Hart knowingly misrepresented System 3 as capable of triple redundancy (meaning that cast votes are stored in at least three separate places).
Hart sales presentations concealed these design flaws and the DAUs’ tendency to lose votes. Hart Instruction Sheet “Using JBC Recovery”). Hart knowingly misrepresented the reliability and functionality of eSlate System 3 in a successful effort to sell voting systems that were purchased with federal funds. However. the System 3 programming team did not develop a counterpart utility suite to JBC Recovery that might be used to recover lost votes in the event of a system failure. or “DAUs”) that could be disconnected from the daisy-chain of eSlates in a polling place and brought to a disabled voter. Hart knowingly misrepresented its ability to consistently rebuild vote records from corrupted eSlates. Hence. Disabled Voting. private and independent voting for disabled citizens. The devices 25 . System 3 lacked the promised redundancy. (Ex. Moreover. Based upon Mr. Hart designed special eSlates (disabled voting units.Recovery (a program not available for customer use). 71. 13. which also were purchased with federal funds. including DAUs. Singer’s firsthand knowledge. One of HAVA’s primary goals was to ensure accurate. These voting systems were used during real-world elections and that fact later was touted by Hart in sales presentations that succeeded in selling even more voting systems. Hart also concealed the fact that the system had not been adequately tested. DAUs were particularly prone to lose votes due to system design flaws that were well known within Hart (and later admitted to customers once the problems became impossible to conceal).
72. its success or failure rate. Unconfigured Systems.had to be shipped to the computer programming team in Lafayette. Hart’s programming team refused (and refuses) to reveal its method of rebuilding votes. where the votes were secretly rebuilt. the programming team merely provides an MBB with cast-vote records and nothing more. thus permitting/requiring election officials to configure the systems in ways that inevitably varied from the standards that governed the voting systems demonstrated for purchase. and thereby retaining federal funds already paid on the premise that Harris County would receive a compliant voting system rather than the non-compliant system it actually received. Hart furnished voting systems that were unconfigured (and which therefore varied from the systems presented for purchase during sales demonstrations). which were purchased with federal funds. Hart knowingly furnished these unconfigured systems for the purpose of sustaining its account with Harris County. Singer has firsthand knowledge that in Harris County. Colorado. It did so with the successful intent to sell these systems. Hart knowingly misrepresented the accuracy and reliability of its DAUs and Hart knowingly concealed the system’s flaws. thereby ensuring the future purchase of its systems and support with federal funds. 26 . Mr. or the percentage of votes actually recovered. At the end of this secretive process. Furnishing unconfigured machines gave rise to glaring security vulnerabilities (in violation of HAVA and the VSS). Texas.
under protest. Hart knowingly misrepresented the system’s capability to 27 . Mr. Hart knew of this flaw in its system but concealed it from prospective and past purchasers of its system. The release notes included “Known Defects (defects not fixed in this release. Mr. in a successful effort to sell voting systems that were purchased with federal funds. Travis Harrell. Singer has firsthand knowledge that the eSlate warehousing and recount application. Singer’s supervisor. Singer has firsthand knowledge that in Charlottesville. Singer. and in a successful effort to avoid being required to repay federal funds already paid to it for faulty systems.)” First among those for SERVO was “Cast Vote Record data corruption” as well as several defects with SERVO’s internal audit log. In September 2002. Hart knowingly misrepresented the system’s redundancy and general reliability.1 Release Notes at page 17 of 18 [sic]).73. Virginia. and was updated to a newer version without the customer’s knowledge. and knowingly concealed SERVO corruption issues. Clandestine Updates to Tally. 74. Mr.1. the Tally software suffered from a bug. Concealed SERVO Problems. assisted with the update by supplying the software and assisting Hart employee Sheri Charleston with the update by phone. 14. circulated a draft set of release notes for System 2.” (Ex. Mr. Draft System 2. had major ongoing problems with corrupting data. SERVO. Hart frequently provided untested versions of SERVO that corrupted vote information and destroyed the “triple redundancy” that Hart touted in its sales presentations.
. as opposed to votes.g. Hart knowingly misrepresented the machines’ vulnerabilities and concealed its knowledge of the defective 28 . and in a successful effort to avoid being required to repay federal funds already paid to it for faulty systems. and knowingly concealed the Tally corruption and update. When questioned after-the-fact concerning the higher failure rates. Hart’s SERVO utility was designed in part to assist in vote recounts. where passage of a ballot measure turns on whether more than 50% of the ballots. e. Hart provided the machines despite its knowledge of this hardware defect. and elsewhere. Hart described the machines as “used” and thus more prone to failure. “Used” eSlates. in a successful effort to sell voting systems that were purchased with federal funds. 12. cast on the measure contained a “yes” vote. these don’t appear on the servo reports. 75. In some elections. Mr.”). most notably its inability to count blank votes. In Tarrant County. Singer has firsthand knowledge that SERVO suffered from problems that compromised any potential recount. (Ex. Singer Email re CVR Reports. Texas. It concealed the defect. 11/1/02) (“NOTE THAT VOTES 2 AND 4 WERE BLANK BALLOTS. Hart knowingly concealed these issues during all sales presentations and on every occasion its system was purchased with federal funds. ascertaining the total number of ballots cast is critical. SERVO Recount Inadequacies. The additional units had higher failure rates due to defective capacitors. 76.voting officials. Hart temporarily provided extra eSlates and JBC units when a customer jurisdiction’s needs were higher than expected.
On June 16. The proposal responded to Boulder County’s Request for Proposal # 4437-03 relating to voting systems. The payments were made in whole or in part with federal funds.capacitors in a successful effort to sell voting systems that were purchased with federal funds. 77. Specific Knowing Misrepresentations in Colorado Proposal. Colorado. Each of Hart’s representations was made in direct response to Boulder County’s item-by-item request for information and/or statement of voting system requirements. Hart transmitted a proposal to the Purchasing Division of Boulder County. Singer has personal knowledge that each of the representations listed below was false. Mr. 6/16/03). 77a. as described. which induced Boulder County to expend federal HAVA money for Hart’s systems and support. and in a successful effort to avoid being required to repay federal funds already paid to it for faulty systems. Pertinent Portions of Hart Proposal. At page 3-16 Hart states that the cast-vote record made on a DAU “will be recorded in the Judge’s Booth Controller and Mobile Ballot Box just like all the other 29 . 15. (Ex. 2003. The proposal contained numerous misrepresentations and false statements made for the sole and successful purpose of obtaining the Boulder County voting system contract. as Hart knew it would be. Hart’s proposal contained the false representations listed below. Hart won the Boulder contract and was paid for its systems and support. and that each representation was known by Hart to be false at the time Hart made the representation.
” This statement conflicts with Hart’s claims of triple redundancy in the preceding sentence. (Ex. but in the case of discrepancy it would be impossible to determine which is the “original” or “true” record of votes. Hart knew that DAUs were subject to exceedingly higher error rates than eSlates. and reporting components. Pertinent Parts of Servo Ops.” This is intentionally misleading. . At page 4-1 Hart states that “[t]he eSlate system has been certified by the National Association of State Election Directors . vote recording. (Ex. 77b. Hart’s own SERVO Operations Manual. Instead of providing a backup of stored information. In fact vote storage in the eSlate/DAU. and MBB was not identical. the SERVO utility is a tabulation and reporting component and had not been certified by NASED.” However. Singer personally believes that it was not certified between that time and the June 2003 submission of this document. 15. 16. does not demonstrate NASED approval of Servo. At page 3-17 Hart claims that the MBB remains the “master record of voting. Exhibit 5 demonstrates that as of January 2003. 77c.ballots cast in the polling place. The system certification documentation provided in Hart’s proposal. (“Servo is an election records and recount 30 . confirms that SERVO is a tabulating and reporting component of the eSlate system. tabluation. JBC. SERVO was not certified by NASED and Mr. including all ballot formatting. nor does any NASED document suggest so. Manual). . at end). Hart claimed to create multiple originals. As noted in ¶ 71 above.
” and “SERVO provides: reports on CVRs [castvote records] . Exhibit 14 (Draft System 2. the DAUs had an exceedingly higher lost-vote rate than standard eSlates and resulted in lost votes for disabled voters as described in ¶ 71 above. Additionally. 77f.1 Release Notes at page 12 of 13 [sic]). Internal Confidential “Ballot Now 1. 17. 15. Hart’s proposal to Boulder itself identifies SERVO as a component of the eSlate system. 77e. 14. (Ex. as for other voters. .” In fact eSlate version 2. (Ex.”). . . recount data .09 Survival Guide” at 7) (noting how to resolve overvotes on straight party contests). 3-4). At page 4-2 Hart states that “[t]he eSlate system does not permit overvotes. Boulder Proposal at 3-3. . . Ballot Now is part of the “eSlate system. 3-4).1 was not capable of providing 31 . and it permits overvotes. .” However. Draft System 2. At page 4-3 Hart states that eSlate provides for second languages “including character-based languages.5.1 Release Notes) included within “Known Defects (defects not fixed in this release)” that “[w]hile scanning ballots for the System 2.” (Ex. . Thus. .” In fact. Likewise. . . as Hart knew. At page 4-3 Hart states that disabled voters shall have the same “opportunity for access and participation .management system for the eSlate . SERVO was part of the “eSlate System” but was not NASED qualified as Hart represented. Boulder Proposal at 3-3. 77d.1 testing.” (Ex. 15. . BNIP repored an overvote in a contest that was clearly marked correctly (autovoted).
These patches. . . .9 Spanish language feature). Mr. Draft System 2. but not always. (See Ex.” In fact Hart had no “regular scheduled” releases. Moreover. Hart repeats this false statement at page 4-18. Singer Email re Arapahoe Election. At page 4-3 Hart states that “[t]he eSlate System is fully tested and certified by NASED. At page 4-14 Hart states that “Ballot Now performs with 100% accuracy . received “no look” temporary certification from state election officials. 14.” As demonstrated in ¶ 77c. firmware. 77g. NASED certification did not include special patches. updates. and emergency fixes that Hart knew from past experience would be required once its machines were used in the real world.or VSS-compliant. 77h. 18. SERVO was not certified by NASED. but such certification could not render the systems HAVA. Colorado. . upgrades. 77i. (Ex. and software upgrades . . In December 2002. 12/13/02) (“One of the provisional ballots which had previously autoresolved as an undervote was ‘autoresolved’ by Ballot Now as a vote 32 .character-based languages and previously had suffered numerous problems even with its dual-language capacity. Its releases were ad hoc. At page 4-6 Hart states that its system is subject to “regular scheduled release of hardware. .1 Release Notes) (noting at least five “known [unfixed] defects” in the BOSS 2. Singer alerted Hart to a realworld vote inaccuracy that occurred with Ballot Now in Arapahoe County.” This statement is untrue and was known to Hart to be untrue when made. and fixes often.
7/10/02) (“I don’t believe we can conduct an election in Arapahoe .” with sections entitled “Process Issues/Problems” and “System Issues/Problems. . .1 Release Notes) identifies a number of inaccuracies with Ballot Now. . Exhibit 17. Harrell Email re Yakima Election. . . (Ex. Ballot now is unreliable .4—the predecessor version to that being proposed in Boulder. 21. Mr. 33 . (Ex. Hart admitted to Yakima County. 7/10/02) (“These Ballot Now issues are preventing the County from proceeding with Logic and Accuracy testing .5.”). Mr. in 2005. (that contest did not come up for resolution) We are researching this issue but it’s likely a mark on the edge of the detection range that BNIP scanned ‘properly’ the second time. . .”). . addresses numerous Ballot Now defects. . .09 Survival Guide. . . the database is unstable . The “survival guide” also includes an entire appendix described as a “Ballot Now post-mortem of the Nov 2002 Harris County election. Exhibit 14 (the Draft System 2. that Ballot Now produced inaccurate results (undervotes) because of a line running through the scanned box images “likely caused by a small foreign object (dirt or paper debris) . 20. . .” Finally. 6/15/05). Hart’s Confidential Internal “Ballot Now 1. including that it permits overvotes. in July 2002. Prior to that. Singer’s supervisor Travis Harrell forwarded these concerns to other Hart employees. Later.for Feeley.”).” authored by Hart’s Ballot Now programmer. Harrell Email re Arapahoe Election. Washington. Singer detailed to Hart the problems experienced in Arapahoe County with respect to Ballot Now version 1. 19.” (Ex. Singer Email re Arapahoe Election. Also.
Hart thus knew that in its June 2003 report to Boulder the statement that Ballot Now was “100% accurate” was false. more than six months before this misrepresentation was made by Hart. At page 4-14 Hart states that “Ballot Now uses commercial off-the-shelf scanners and printers.and is capable of creating the wrong number of cast-vote records.” Mr. At page 4-14 Hart states that Ballot Now’s bar code system “eliminates the need to sort ballots before scanning. Likewise. Mr. 77k. but Hart disclosed none of this information in its June 2003 proposal. 2002. Exhibit 17 (the Ballot Now “Survival Guide”) identifies as a process issue/problem the counties’ failure to pre-sort ballots. 77j. Boulder County would be using Ballot Now 1. including checking of serial numbers. and operates at the full rated speed of each. Colorado.5.” 34 . Singer Email re Arapahoe Election. At page 4-16 Hart states that the dimensional stability of paper ballots and printing accuracy are non-issues because “these artifacts have no impact on accuracy. 18.” In fact ballot processing requires higher resolution than the scanners can achieve while maintaining maximum speeds. 77l. (Ex. which eases the workload for the Elections Staff and speeds ballot processing. Singer personally witnessed the hand-sorting of ballots during an election in Arapahoe County. Singer reported to Hart the need for handsorting by way of an “after action” email report dated December 13. 12/13/02).
” In fact internal testing demonstrated that scanners could not work accurately at maximum speeds. (Cf. . 15.” But Fusion was not NASED qualified nor was it certified by the State of Colorado at this time. particularly when handling large ballots. Ex. issuance of access codes as an example. such as another computer). Singer has personally rescanned the same ballot through Ballot Now at different times and yielded different results. . California Sec’y of State Evaluation. 77m. at end). 77o. At page 4-24 Hart states that another vendor’s optical scan system may be integrated with eSlate by use of “[t]he eSlate System’s Fusion utility . This representation refers to a system interface (an interface is the point of interaction between a computer and any outside entity. 77n. Thus it could not have been used. 2/24/06) (noting that because Fusion has not been NASED/ITA-tested it could not be used absent state certification.Mr. Ex. Hart’s statement conceals the fact that the interface could pose serious security risks to the system because it involved connecting outside systems (with configurations entirely unknown to Hart) directly into the rear of a JBC (the 35 . At page 4-26 Hart states that it is “experienced in the integration of the eSlate System with other Election Management Information Systems” and cites Harris County. At page 4-19 Hart states that Ballot Now allows scanners to work “continuously at rated speed. 22. Hart knew at the time it made its statement that such artifacts could impact the accuracy of vote recording. . Colorado Certification Documents. Texas.
1.“brain”). In any event. Singer does not have firsthand information as to what.0. At pages 4-35 to 4-36 Hart describes how it ostensibly creates non-character based and character based languages. Mr. security measures were in place in this regard. which was the version offered for use (unless the proposal specifically identified a function as possible only in version 3. even in the uncertified eSlate version 3. In fact additional software was required to make the base system support these additional languages (though Hart did not charge for that software). 77r. but concealed the security vulnerabilities from Boulder County. Hart concealed in its Boulder proposal the critical fact that the interface would involve outside systems and attendant security risks. At pages 4-36 to 4-37 Hart states that no additional software would be required to make the base system support the languages described in the report.0. rendering this a classic “back door” interface. which this section does not). At page 4-40 Hart states that it can provide a requested automated logic and accuracy test routine. It thus designed and touted a feature that it knew could override the audit logs and manipulate the voting system. 77p. if any. In fact Hart had no software capable of performing the requested 36 . 77q. but he does have firsthand knowledge that the interface did not create any special audit log information that might alert anyone should an outside program take over the JBC. The description Hart provides was not possible with version 2. which is the version Hart references in this section.
functions in an automated fashion and none was developed during Mr. and the MBB. Thus. hardware logs. 77t. and operator activity logs. the JBC stores votes internally and on a flash card. including “ballot images. At page 4-46 Hart is asked to describe its post-election night process to capture information. At page 4-45 Hart states the cast-vote records are created as a “triplicate original” stored on the eSlate. Hart’s response at 4-45 is intentionally misleading in omitting these facts. the card it is writing to is necessarily suspect.” Hart states that “[a]ll information is captured and transferred to the 37 . if the castvote records differ on any of the three storage components. SERVO could not be used to extract cast-vote records because the standard interfaces would be disabled (it is here that JBC Recovery would be used as described in ¶ 70 above). and particularly in that event. so that if the JBC is damaged or corrupted. Such claims of triple redundancy are misleading for reasons noted in ¶¶ 70 and 77b. Singer’s tenure with the company. triple redundancy is valuable only if all three sources are available and are in agreement. which would be crucial to a prospective purchaser. the units would be shipped to Hart’s programming team and secretly counted with no verifiability. it is impossible to determine which has the “true” vote record. Hart concealed the fact that in many instances of machine failure. in situations of machine failure. Moreover. In any event. device activity logs. Additionally. the JBC. Finally. as described in ¶ 71. 77s.
Singer to his supervisor. (11 days before the Boulder submission) regarding “another Servo problem” experienced in Texas that affected the ability to recount votes. 12/17/03). Ballot images from Ballot Now are not transferred.e. Attached as Exhibit 23 is an email from Mr.0 (whereas 11 days later Hart proposed version 1.02.tabulation system on Election Night.. as noted in Exhibit 14 (Draft System 2. Singer had reported to Hart such problems in “every version” of SERVO (necessarily including the version at issue in the Boulder proposal). Programming manager Michael Lawless states that “We’re aware of this issue” and that a fix is planned for SERVO version 2.” This is false. i. (Ex. nor are the BOSS or unit audit logs. Hart concealed numerous performance issues with SERVO that called into question its accuracy and reliability. At page 4-46 Hart touts the post-election use of SERVO to backup and manage crucial vote information. Programmer Lawless goes on to conclude “I think we would all agree it should have been fixed.1 Release Notes at page 9 of 10 [sic]). Attached as Exhibit 24 is an email string beginning with Hart Account Manager Rich Geppert on June 5. to Boulder County). However. Travis Harrell. indicating problems with SERVO and memorializing the fact that Mr. 23. 2003. Singer Email to Travis Harrell. Likewise. This action is not being captured by the Audit Log. the version known to be faulty. the tabulator Tally’s “known defects” that were not fixed included the fact that “[A] user has the ability to assign/reject write-ins.” Hart again touts SERVO at page 4-186 without revealing 38 .” 77u.
these known defects and without revealing Hart’s intention not to correct the problem in the version it proposed for use in Boulder (version 1. Hart responds at page 4-83 that “the eSlate system can operate optimally in all conditions . . At page 4-87 Hart states that Tally “operates in closed.” In fact error and status messages were English-only.” In fact eSlate 2. 39 . 77x. all further text and audio information is delivered in the selected language.1 ballot font sizes could be increased if desired. DAUs are of particular concern in this regard because they are advertised as capable of being removed and brought outside to assist disabled voters. which was not certified at the time of this submission (see page 4-1).02).” However. In fact increasing the font size would destroy the ballot structure. 77y. . Windows NT/2000 configuration to provide a secure physical and logical environment. .0. 77v. At page 4-65 Hart states that “[o]nce the voter selects a language. This feature was not available until version 3.1 had no Windows 2000 customer configuration that would count live votes. Hart conceals the fact that the system will not work in direct sunlight because the LCD will blank out. At page 4-82 Hart is advised that its system must be capable of use in open elements and at page 4-83 it is asked to describe requirements necessary for optimum operation. 77w. At page 4-159 Hart states that in eSlate version 2.
a “hidden” program to manipulate votes would not have been detected or audited.” Theoretically. . the tabulator Tally’s “known defects” that were not fixed included the fact that “[A] user has the ability to assign/reject write-ins. Hart states that “[t]he remote transfer (Rally) stations connected to the ballot tabulation systems (Tally) are mutually connected via a physically secure private network.1 Release Notes at page 9 of 10 [sic]). Hart made no provision for detecting or comparing external changes so that.” In fact data for MBB images was not readable in any standard format such as Windows (though it could be read through special utilities). . At page 4-91. .” In fact Rally and Tally connected via standard phone lines.77z. . in a response regarding security protocols. At page 4-88 Hart states that “[a]ll data and applications are Windows NT or 2000 compatible.” Hart neglects to mention that these audit logs track only activity within standard Hart applications. operator activity . “all data movement” was not necessarily captured by an audit log. Hart also says the system is “completely secure from outside intrusion. as noted in Exhibit 14 (Draft System 2.” Thus. one need 40 .” Hart states that “[a]n audit trail is maintained of all data movement [and] a real time audit log is continuously printed during the tabulation process. . . At page 4-88 Boulder requires that “[a]ll software used to move results shall generate logs reporting all . This action is not being captured by the Audit Log. for example. which is not connected to outside networks. Additionally. 77bb. 77aa.
. and will provide this capability for Boulder County. 77dd. The computer techs routinely ignored it (and advised their managers that they refused to answer it given their workload). Ordinarily if a call was taken it was answered by a trainer or account manager. it could not possibly have provided technical support because such support would have to come through Mr. the “24-hour hotline” was a single phone on the back of a desk in the tech department. Singer. staffed with qualified technical personnel who are able to assist with any problems that the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder might encounter . . At pages 4-156 and 4-158 Hart confirms that it has a “24-hour technical support (hotline)” and that it “propose[s] a 24-hour hotline . . At page 4-159. Singer fruitlessly suggested to Hart.” In fact. Hart represents that it provides “Remote dial-up/Internet 41 . Hart could have avoided this vulnerability by not using network cards—as Mr. 77ee.only have hooked up a network cable in order to intrude the system.” At the time this statement was made the vote simulation utility was recognized within Hart to have been so unreliable that it could not be released to purchasers. . . who was denied formal access to it. used to simulate voting on the eSlate System. At page 4-103 Hart states that it has “developed a vote simulation utility. Even if Hart had provided such a utility to Boulder County. Mr. Singer has firsthand knowledge that these utilities were never intended for public release. 77cc.
Systematic Practices. Hart billed its customers for voting systems (and support) that would not have been purchased but for Hart’s fraudulent acts and omissions.” In fact Hart did not provide any such service nor did it have the capability to do so. by act or omission.software diagnostics. and pursuant to corporate policy. the systems did not comply with HAVA or VSS standards. Mr. All such systems (and support) were purchased in whole or in part with federal funds. Singer has firsthand knowledge that Hart made scripted/routinized claims in its sales presentations and thus has made such known 42 . At no time did Hart ever disclose to any potential or actual purchaser that its voting systems failed to comply with HAVA or VSS standards though in many respects. 78. in a systematic attempt. reliability. Ongoing Misrepresentations. accuracy. to knowingly cause the payment of federal funds for its voting systems. verifiability. Hart concealed known software and hardware flaws when making sales presentations. as Hart knew. Hart made each misrepresentation identified above. Hart made knowing misrepresentations concerning the testing. accessibility. 79. and legal compliance of its systems. And Hart concealed new problems as they arose (thus failing to remedy them with respect to systems already purchased) in an ongoing effort to increase its competitiveness in order to secure further federal funds and in order to avoid being required to repay funds already paid to it for its voting systems and technical support. security.
and employees. and (iii) knowingly made. or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government. discovery of other Hart responses to requests for proposal unquestionably would reveal numerous similar (if not identical) and additional misstatements to other governmental entities in Hart’s successful attempts to secure federal HAVA funds. a false record or statement to conceal. Mr. Thus. or caused to be made or used. (ii) knowingly made. 83. and employees: (i) knowingly presented. one may reasonably infer that Hart proposals to other purchasers were substantially similar to the Boulder proposal. or caused to be made or used. 84. by and through its officers. Singer requests a jury trial on all issues so triable. to the United States Government. a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval. The United States Government and the public fisc have been damaged as a result of Defendant Hart’s violations of the False Claims Act. 43 . used. a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid or approved by the Government. or caused to be presented. agents. Each of the foregoing allegations is realleged and incorporated hereby.misrepresentations to other purchasers. Likewise. Defendant Hart authorized and ratified all the violations of the False Claims Act committed by its various officers. Defendant Hart. 82. COUNT I: Violations of the False Claims Act 80. 81. used. avoid. As described in this Qui Tam Complaint. agents.
85. Relator William Singer be awarded an amount for bringing this action of at least 15% but not more than 25% of the proceeds of the action. Relator William Singer. (iii) that Relator William Singer recover all costs of this action. on behalf of himself and the United States Government. (ii) that this Court enter a judgment against Defendant for a civil penalty of $10. with interest. (vii) that Relator William Singer be awarded prejudgment interest. including the cost to the United States Government for its expenses related to this action. (vi) that in the event the United States Government does not proceed with this action. (iv) that Relator William Singer be awarded all reasonable attorneys’ fees in bringing this action. (v) that in the event the United States Government proceeds with this action. WHEREFORE. Relator William Singer be awarded an amount for bringing this action of at least 25% but not more than 30% of the proceeds of the action. prays: (i) that this Court enter a judgment against Defendant in an amount equal to three times the amount of damages the United States has sustained as a result of Defendant’s violations of the False Claims Act. 44 .000 for each of Defendant’s violations of the False Claims Act.
com Attorney for Relator 45 . Eldredge. Hersh & Jardine. s/Michael S. Simpson. Burg Michael S. Simpson. Eldredge. Hersh Burg. Burg Burg.C.(viii) that a trial by jury be held on all issues so triable.C. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood. Hersh & Jardine. P. CO 80112 Tel: 303/792-5595 Fax: 303/708-0527 mburg@burgsimpson. Simpson.com Attorney for Relator s/David P. Hersh & Jardine.C. and (ix) that Relator William Singer and the United States of America receive all relief to which either or both may be entitled at law or in equity. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood. Burg Peter W. Burg Burg. Hersh David P.com Attorney for Relator s/Peter W. CO 80112 Tel: 303/792-5595 Fax: 303/708-0527 pburg@burgsimpson. P. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood. CO 80112 Tel: 303/792-5595 Fax: 303/708-0527 dhersh@burgsimpson. Eldredge. P.

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