Opinion ID: 1467144
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Makes, Uses or Causes to be Made or Used a False Statement

Text: Sabaratnam argues that he did not make, use or cause to be made or used the cost reports at issue. [5] Sabaratnam frames his argument solely in terms of presentment, arguing that he did not present or cause to be presented false claims to the intermediary. Presentment is an element in a cause of action under § 3729(a)(1), which punishes someone who knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, to an officer or employee of the United States Government or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1) (emphasis added). Presentment is not an element in a cause of action under § 3729(a)(7), which is the cause of action at issue here. Cf. Allison Engine Co., Inc. v. U.S. ex rel. Sanders, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 2123, 2128-29, ___ L.Ed.2d ___ (2008) (holding that there is no presentment requirement in § 3729(a)(2), which uses the same makes, uses, or causes to be made or used language found in § 3729(a)(7)). Unlike § 3729(a)(1), § 3729(a)(7) focuses on a defendant who knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(7) (emphasis added). The plain language of this statute requires that a defendant make or use a false record or statement in order to conceal, avoid or decrease an obligation to pay the government. Cf. Allison Engine Co., Inc., 128 S.Ct. at 2128(holding that § 3729(a)(2) requires the government to prove that the defendant made a false statement to get a false claim paid or approved). Sabaratnam, in his capacity as president of Navatkuda and general partner of CPMS, used and agreed to use the false cost reports in order to decrease CPMS/Bayview's obligation to pay money to Medicare.