Opinion
No. 2:12-cv-00106-MCE-CKD
03-20-2015
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ex rel. BRENT BAILEY and EMILY WADE, Relators, v. GATAN, INC., ROPER INDUSTRIES, INC. and DOES 1 through 100, Inclusive, Defendants.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Through the present action, Relators Brent Bailey ("Bailey") and Emily Wade ("Wade") (collectively "Relators") sue Gatan, Inc. ("Gatan") and its parent corporation Roper Industries ("Roper") (collectively "Defendants") under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, et seq. ("FCA") and its California counterpart, Government Code § 3729, et seq. ("CFCA"). This lawsuit was originally filed under seal on January 13, 2012, pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the FCA. The United States of America ("United States") and the State of California ("California") declined to intervene in the action, and therefore this Court unsealed the complaint. ECF No. 11, 12.
On March 29, 2013, the unidentified Relator "Richard Roe" was voluntarily dismissed. ECF No. 15.
Relators allege seven claims against Defendants under both the FCA and CFCA. Compl., ECF No. 1, at ¶¶ 71-91. The claims can be summarized as follows: (1) that Gatan knowingly presented, or caused to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim (first and fourth claims); (2) that Gatan knowingly made, used, or caused to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim (second and fifth claims); (3) that Gatan conspired to defraud the United States and the State of California by getting a false or fraudulent claim allowed or paid (third and sixth claims); and (4) that Gatan failed to disclose false claim within reasonable time (seventh claim). Id.
Presently before the Court is Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), which alternatively seeks to strike certain allegations. ECF No. 56. Relators filed a timely opposition to both requests contained in Defendants' motion. ECF No. 61. For the reasons stated below, Defendants' motion is DENIED in part and GRANTED in part.
Because oral argument would not be of material assistance, the Court ordered this matter submitted on the briefing. E.D. Cal. Local Rule 230(g).
Because Relators consent to dismissal, without prejudice, of their respective FCA and CFCA conspiracy causes of action, Relators third and sixth claims are DISMISSED without prejudice.
BACKGROUND
Relators are former employees of Gatan, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roper. Compl. at ¶¶ 8-9, 11. Gatan is a leading manufacturer of instrumentation and software that enhance the performance of electron microscopes. Id. at ¶ 20. Relators allege that Defendants made false or fraudulent claims in the sale of equipment and accessories that cause potentially unsafe and hazardous X-ray radiation leaks. Id. at ¶ 1. Specifically, Relators claim that Gatan fails to advise its customers that the allegedly defective products put them at risk of being exposed to radiation in excess of the limits proscribed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") and the Federal Drug Administration ("FDA"). Id. at ¶ 3-4. Relators also allege that Gatan falsely claims to all its employees and customers that its products are exempt from compliance with FDA regulations. Id. at ¶ 3. Additionally, Relators aver that, as a result of Gatan's concealment and misrepresentations, its customers fail to classify their employees as radiation workers despite the radiation risks associated with the equipment. Id. at ¶ 5. Finally, Relators allege that Gatan regularly failed to test the radiation emissions of their products before shipping to its customers. Id. at ¶ 45. Relators contend that the adversely-affected customers include the United States, California, and entities that receive funding from the United States and California. Id. at ¶ 50. Consequently, Relators argue that these allegations show that Defendants knowingly made false and misleading claims to its customers, in violation of the FCA and CFCA.
Relators brought this action on January 13, 2012, alleging seven claims under both the FCA and CFCA. Compl. at ¶¶ 71-91. Relators further claim that Roper is liable for Gatan's conduct because "[i]n California, a parent corporation is fully liable for the acts of its wholly owned subsidiary." ECF No. at ¶ 12. Defendants bring the instant motion seeking judgment on the pleadings. As indicated above, Defendants alternatively move to strike several allegations in Relators' Complaint. ECF No. 56.
Defendants' Motion to Strike is denied pursuant to Rule 12(f), which requires that a motion to strike be made before the filing of a responsive pleading. Because Defendants filed their Answer (ECF No. 24) before filing the present motion (ECF No. 56), the Motion to Strike is therefore DENIED.
STANDARD
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), "a party may move for judgment on the pleadings" after the pleadings are closed "but early enough not to delay trial." A motion for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) challenges the legal sufficiency of the opposing party's pleadings. See, e.g., Westlands Water Dist. v. Bureau of Reclamation, 805 F. Supp. 1503, 1506 (E.D.Cal. 1992). Any party may move for judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) after the pleadings are closed but within such time as to not delay trial.
All further references to "Rule" or "Rules" are to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise noted.
The standard for evaluating a motion for judgment on the pleadings is essentially the same as the standard applied to a Rule 12(b)(6) motion. Dworkin v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 867 F.2d 1188, 1192 (9th Cir. 1989). A motion for judgment on the pleadings should only be granted if "the moving party clearly establishes on the face of the pleadings that no material issue of fact remains to be resolved and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Richard Feiner & Co., Inc., 896 F.2d 1542, 1550 (9th Cir. 1989) (internal citation omitted). Judgment on the pleadings is also proper when there is either a "lack of cognizable legal theory" or the "absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory." Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dept., 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). In reviewing a Rule 12(c) motion, "all factual allegations in the complaint [must be accepted] as true and construe[d] . . . in the light most favorable to the non-moving party." Fleming v. Pickard, 581 F.3d 922, 925 (9th Cir. 2009). Judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) is warranted "only if it is clear that no relief could be granted under any set of facts that could be proved consistent with the allegations." Deveraturda v. Globe Aviation Sec. Servs., 454 F.3d 1043, 1046 (9th Cir. 2006) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).
Courts have discretion to grant leave to amend in conjunction with motions made pursuant to Rule 12(c). Lonberg v. City of Riverside, 300 F. Supp. 2d 942, 945 (C.D. Cal. 2004) (citation omitted). Generally, leave to amend a complaint is denied only if it is clear that the deficiencies of the complaint cannot be cured by amendment. DeSoto v. Yellow Freight Sys., Inc., 957 F.2d 655, 658 (9th Cir. 1992).
ANALYSIS
Defendants claim that Relators have failed to allege FCA liability with particularity, failed to allege a false claim under an "implied false certification" theory, and failed to describe any false record or statement. ECF No. 57 at 6-15. Also, Defendants contend that Relators have not established a basis for holding Roper liable for its parent company Gatan's alleged wrongdoing. Id. at 15-16. For the reasons set forth below, the Court disagrees in part and agrees in part.
A. False Claims Act Liability under State and Federal Law
Relators' First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh claims allege violations of the FCA, 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(AB), and the California False Claims Act ("CFCA"), Cal. Gov. Code § 12650 et seq. The FCA sections pled by Relators attach liability to any person who: "(A) knowingly presents, or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval; [or] (B) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim." 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1) (A-B).
Courts rely on FCA precedent to interpret the CFCA. See San Francisco Unified Sch. Dist. ex rel. Contreras v. Laidlaw Transit, Inc., 224 Cal.App.4th 627, 637 (2014); State v. Altus Fin., S.A., 36 Cal.4th 1284, 1299, (2005) ( "[T]he CFCA 'is patterned on similar federal legislation' and it is appropriate to look to precedent construing the equivalent federal FCA") (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). FCA cases are authoritative in construing the CFCA to the extent the language of the two acts are similar. See Fassberg Const. Co. v. Hous. Authority of Los Angeles, 152 Cal. App. 4th 720, 735 (2007). The language in the sections of the FCA and CFCA supporting the false certification and reporting claims are nearly identical. As such, the Court will address the FCA claims here and apply the same analysis to the CFCA claims.
The federal False Claims Act makes liable any person who (A) knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval; and (B) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(A)-(B).
The California False Claims Act makes liable any person who (1) knowingly presents or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval; (2) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim; and (3) conspires to commit a violation of the subdivision Cal. Gov't Code § 12651(a)(1)-(3)..
1. Implied False Certification Theory
Relators proceed under an implied false certification theory. Implied certification is based on the notion that claims for payment submitted to the government represent an implied certification of a defendant's continuing adherence to program requirements. Ebeid ex rel. U.S. v. Lungwitz, 616 F.3d 993, 996-97 (9th Cir. 2010). An entity is thus liable for previously undertaking to expressly comply with a law, rule, or regulation, even though a certification of compliance with that law, rule, or regulation is not actually required in submitting each individual claim for payment. Id. at 998. The defendant's noncompliance renders the claims "false," and liability attaches under the FCA. Therefore, an entity can be liable for false certification even if it does not expressly certify compliance in seeking a claim for payment.
To satisfy the pleading requirements applicable to fraud claims under Rule 9(b), a complaint alleging implied false certification must also satisfy the general elements of FCA liability. Ebeid, 616 F.3d at 998. Additionally, the complaint must plead with particularity allegations that provide a reasonable basis to infer that "(1) the defendant explicitly undertook to comply with a law, rule, or regulation that is implicated in submitting a claim for payment and that (2) claims were submitted (3) even though the defendant was not in compliance with that law, rule, or regulation." Id.
Here, Relators allege various false certifications by Defendants under an implied false certification theory. First, Relators claim that Gatan shipped and sold electron microscope parts to several federal and state government entities and falsely certified that the products complied with the radiation emission specifications of state and federal regulatory agencies, including the NRC. See Compl. at ¶¶ 1, 47, 50. As to the sale of products to federal government agencies, Relators claim that Defendants undertook an obligation to expressly comply with the rules set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR"), which applies to government acquisitions of goods and services. Id. at ¶ 3. Further, Relators allege that Gatan asserts compliance with all applicable regulations by giving its customers declarations or marks of conformity (in sales contracts and brochures) that state its products meet European "CE standards." Id. at ¶¶ 2, 57. Relators contend that the CE certification is viewed in the industry as a "quality mark" that is equal to or better than the Underwriters Laboratories ("UL") certification used in the United States. Id. at ¶ 2. It follows, Relators contend, that Defendants are implicitly certifying compliance with the American standards for X-ray radiation emissions by including these declarations of conformity, even though their products actually emit radiation at levels in excess of regulatory limits. Id. at ¶¶ 2, 44.
Additionally, from Relators' account, Gatan has falsely claimed, and continues to claim, that it is exempt from Title 21 regulations that set standards for certain radiation-emitting electronic products under the oversight of the FDA. Id. ¶ 36. Relator contends that by claiming that it is exempt from the FDA regulations, Gatan is essentially falsely certifying that it was in compliance with applicable federal regulations.
Based on Relators' allegations, Defendants expressly affirmed compliance with state and federal regulations, and then later implied compliance through misrepresentations of the safety of its products. As such, these claims are appropriately construed as violations of the FCA under the theory of implied certification.
2. Sufficient Pleading of the FCA Elements under Rule 9(b)
Defendants go on to contend that, even if Relators' allegations are sufficient under a false certification theory, they still fail to meet the particularity standards of Rule 9(b). The Court disagrees. Relators have alleged the elements of an FCA claim with sufficient particularity.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b) provides that a party must plead fraud with particularity. With respect to the FCA, Relators must give "particular details of a scheme to submit false claims paired with reliable indicia that lead to a strong inference that claims were actually submitted." Ebeid, 616 F.3d at 998-99 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Relators are required to "provide enough detail to give [defendants] notice of the particular misconduct which is alleged to constitute the fraud charged so that [they] can defend against the charge and not just deny that [they have] done anything wrong." Id. at 999 (internal quotation marks omitted). Specifically, the particularity requirement requires that Relators "state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake, including the who, what, when, where and how of the misconduct" and "what is false or misleading about a statement, and why it is false." Id. at 998 (internal quotation marks omitted) (citing Vess v. Ciba-Geigy Corp. USA, 317 F.3d 1097, 1106 (9th Cir.2003)). However, Relators do not need to "identify representative examples of false claims to support every allegation." Id. Accordingly, Relators meet their burden if they provide (1) sufficient specificity of the circumstances of the fraudulent claims and (2) "reasonable indicia" that those claims were actually made. Id. at 998-99.
In particular, to comply with Rule 9(b), Relators must give sufficient detail of the essential elements of an FCA claim: "(1) a false statement or fraudulent course of conduct, (2) made with scienter, (3) that was material, causing (4) the government to pay out money or forfeit moneys due." U.S. ex rel. Hendow v. Univ. of Phoenix, 461 F.3d 1166, 1174 (9th Cir. 2006). The false statement or course of conduct must be material to the government's decision to pay out money to the claimant. Id. at 1172. Similarly, a claim predicated on § 3729(a)(1)(B) requires a showing that the "defendants knowingly made, used, or caused to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim." Id. Since the prerequisites for liability under both sections are virtually identical, with the only difference being whether Defendants submitted a false claim or made a statement material to such a claim, the Court addresses the two causes of action together below.
First, Relators specifies with particularity numerous false statements by Defendants. As discussed above, Relators claim that Defendants told its customers that, with respect to radiation emission levels, its products complied with state and federal regulations, were exempt from FDA regulations, and complied with certain European standards that mimicked American regulations. In doing so, Defendants allegedly made false statements regarding the safety of its products and its compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. To support its assertions, Relators provide specific details surrounding the alleged false claims: the time period over which the false claims were made (at least 10 years) (Compl. at ¶ 46); an indication of the employees who were involved in the alleged false claims (including Gatan's president in 2009, Ben Wood, and manager Paul Green in 2011) (Id. at ¶¶ 41 -43); and examples of the language of the false statements. Id. at ¶¶ 2-3. Additionally, Relators include a list of several pieces of equipment that contain the allegedly defective Gatan parts, including their geographic location, the purchasers, and the time of purchase. Id. at 63-66.
Next, FCA claims require that an individual act "knowingly" in presenting, causing to be presented a false claim, or making, using, or causing to be used a false record or statement. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(A-B). Scienter requires knowledge of the falsity with the intent to deceive. U.S. ex rel. Hopper v. Anton, 91 F.3d 1261, 1265. Specifically, the FCA requires actual knowledge of the information and either an act in deliberate ignorance or in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(b)(1) (A) (i-iii). Relators' complaint gives ample examples of how Defendants acted with knowledge.
For example, Relators assert that Gatan is "aware, and has been aware of the fact that its products are defective and leaking X-ray radiation, yet it has embarked upon an intentional course of conduct designed to conceal the defective nature of its products from its customers." Compl. at ¶ 7. In their complaint, Relators give specific examples to support their assertion that Gatan was aware of its noncompliance with radiation emission requirements when it made false statements to its customers. Id. at ¶ 41-43. Relators cite at least three instances, between 2008 and 2011, where employees relayed concerns to Gatan staff about the high radiation emission levels in Gatan's products. Id. In each instance, Relators allege that Gatan then performed a sham "independent investigation" of the emission levels and subsequently fired the employees that raised the safety concerns. Id. Also, Relators claim that in 2011 Gatan was notified of an X-radiation leak in its ChromaCL product but that Gatan failed to issue a notice to affected customers. Id. at ¶ 67. Relators argue that that failure to notify is an indication of the intentional nature of the alleged fraud.
The third requirement of Relators' FCA claim requires that the fraudulent statement or conduct was material to the government's decision to pay for the products. Ebeid, 616 F.3d at 997. A false statement "must be material to the government's decision to pay out moneys to the claimant." Hendow, 461 F.3d at 1172. "[T]he relevant certification of compliance must both be a 'prerequisite to obtaining a government benefit,' ... and a 'sine qua non of receipt of [government] funding.'" Id. (quoting Hopper, 91 F.3d at 1266-67). Here, where Relators assert an FCA claim under the implied theory of false certification, it will be sufficient for Relators to allege facts showing that false certifications "previously undertaken" by Gatan were essential to the government's decision to purchase its products. Ebeid, 616 F.3d at 998.
The statutes regulating radiation-emitting products, 21 C.F.R. § 1020, and exposure limits to those products, 10 C.F.R. § 20.1302, do not expressly condition payment upon compliance. However, the lack of an express condition for payment is not dispositive of materiality. See Hendow, 461 F.3d at 1177 ("An explicit statement, however, is not necessary to make a statutory requirement a condition of payment, and we have never held as much."). Taking Relator's assertions as true, Gatan failed to comply with the FDA and NRC regulations and made false assertions that they were exempt from these regulations. Had the government purchasers known that Gatan was required to comply with such regulations, and that Gatan's failure to comply created a danger to government workers, then there is sufficient reason to believe that the government would not have chosen to purchase Gatan's products. As such, Relators have met their burden with regard to the materiality element. See Hendow, 461 F.3d at 1173 ("[T]he question is merely whether the false certification—or assertion, or statement—was relevant to the government's decision to confer a benefit.").
Similarly, Relators provide sufficient detail for the fourth element of their FCA claim: that there was an actual "claim paid or approved by the government." Hendow, 461 F.3d at 1173 (citing 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(2)). A claim is construed broadly and "arises whenever the government is asked to pay out money or to forfeit moneys due." Id. (internal citation and quotation marks omitted). Relators aver, and Defendants do not dispute, that Gatan sells its products to multiple state and federal agencies and even provides specific examples of equipment sold to three universities that receive federal funding. Compl. at ¶¶ 63-65. Accordingly, Relators allege with sufficient particularity that claims were actually made.
Based on the foregoing, Relators have properly presented claims for FCA liability under 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1 )(A) and (B) by alleging with particularity that Gatan submitted a false claim and made false statements that were material to such a claim. Accordingly, Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings is DENIED for Relators' first, second, fourth, fifth, and seventh causes of action.
Relators argued that Defendants waived the right to a Rule 9(b) motion by filing a detailed answer to Relators' Complaint. ECF No. 61 at 19. The Court disagrees. Because Defendants' motion is early enough not to delay trial, it is deemed proper and timely. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c).
B. Roper's Liability for its Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Gatan
Finally, Defendants argue that Relators have not pled sufficient facts to hold Roper liable for its subsidiary Gatan. The Court agrees.
A parent company is "presumed to have an existence separate from its subsidiaries." U.S. ex rel. Pecanic v. Sumitomo Elec. Interconnect Products, Inc., No. 12-cv-0602, 2013 WL 774177, at *5 (S.D. Cal. Feb. 28, 2013) (citing Neilson v. Union Bank of Cal., 290 F. Supp.2d 1101, 1116 (C.D. Cal. 2003)). To properly allege FCA liability against Roper, Relators must sufficiently demonstrate in their complaint that Roper is liable under an alter ego theory or that Roper is directly liable for its own role in the alleged FCA violations. Id. Relators' Complaint fails to make the proper allegations to pierce the corporate veil, and, instead, merely alleges that Gatan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roper. Without ore, Relators' allegations are insufficient. See Katzir's Floor and Home Design, Inc. v. M-MLS.com, 394 F.3d 1143, 1149 (9th Cir. 2004) (citing Dole Food Co. v. Patrickson, 538 U.S. 468, 475 (2003)) ("The mere fact of sole ownership and control does not eviscerate the separate corporate identity that is the foundation of corporate law."). Accordingly, Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings is GRANTED, without prejudice, with regard to claims against Roper.
CONCLUSION
As set forth above, Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleading (ECF No. 56) is DENIED for Relators' first, second, fourth, fifth, and seventh causes of action, and GRANTED, without prejudice, for Relators' third and sixth causes of action for conspiracy. Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings is GRANTED, without prejudice, with regard to claims against Roper. Defendants' Motion to Strike is DENIED. Relators may file a First Amended Complaint, should they choose to do so, not later than twenty (20) days after the date this Memorandum and Order is electronically filed.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March 20, 2015
/s/_________
MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR., CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRlCT COURT