Allegheny County Agrees to Pay $629,043 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations That It Failed to Properly Support AmeriCorps Program Expenditures

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $629,043 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to contribute the required percentage of resources in exchange for AmeriCorps funds the county received.

Allegheny County agreed to meet a certain cost-sharing threshold to receive federal funding for its AmeriCorps program. For the 2018 to 2020 grant years, Allegheny County claimed it contributed “in-kind” resources to meet this threshold, including classroom and office space, and salaries of teachers and administrative staff who worked on the AmeriCorps program. However, Allegheny County could not provide supporting documentation for $314,521 of the in-kind contributions it claimed.

This settlement resolves claims that Allegheny misrepresented its in-kind contribution. Allegheny County agreed to pay $629,043, of which $314,521 was restitution.

“When receiving federal funds, grantees must meet the terms of the agreements tied to those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “This settlement is a reminder that organizations receiving federal grant funds must adhere to grant compliance requirements.”

“AmeriCorps programs often require grantees to contribute some of their own resources to ensure the programs are successful,“ said Acting AmeriCorps Inspector General Stephen Ravas. “The AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General will continue our work with our law enforcement partners to pursue organizations that do not hold up their end of the bargain.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled this investigation with the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony St. Joseph of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled the investigation and settlement.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.