The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on May 19 that it has launched the “Civil Rights Fraud Initiative” to investigate and potentially punish federally funded institutions whose policies promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as anti-Semitism.
In a memo, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws and ensuring equal protection under the law, adding that this could be accomplished through “vigorous enforcement” of the False Claims Act against institutions that violate those laws.
The False Claims Act is a federal law that holds a person liable for defrauding the government. It also allows private citizens to sue on behalf of the government, known as qui tam suits, and potentially receive a portion of recovered funds….