If the Department of Justice or the SBA is questioning your organization's PPP eligibility or forgiveness under the False Claims Act, talk with a defense attorney before you respond.
A full-service firm established in 1933. Tax controversy and white-collar attorneys serving organizations across the East Coast.
These letters are recognizable. Look for:
If your letter uses this language, it is a civil False Claims Act inquiry. It carries deadlines, and how you respond now shapes the entire matter.
Civil False Claims Act exposure is serious. A finding of liability can mean up to three times the government's damages, plus a civil penalty of $14,308 to $28,619 for each false claim, and an improperly forgiven loan can create tax exposure on top of any repayment.
The better news: these matters are civil, not criminal, and the earliest stage is where they are most often resolved on favorable terms.
Do not return funds, explain your position, or answer a civil investigative demand before speaking with counsel. Early statements shape everything that follows.
An experienced attorney, working alongside your accountant, can assess your exposure, preserve your defenses, and manage the communication with the government.
We answer DOJ letters and civil investigative demands within the deadline they set.
Your 501(c) type, first draw versus second draw, and the lobbying and size limits that applied.
Including good-faith reliance, materiality, and any applicable safe harbor.
Negotiate a resolution and coordinate any related tax exposure.
Whiteford is a full-service firm whose tax controversy and white-collar attorneys represent organizations, including nonprofits, in SBA, IRS, and Department of Justice matters across the East Coast. We handle the government while you keep your organization running.
Tell us about the letter you received.
We review the loan, the certifications, and the eligibility rules that applied to your organization.
We manage the communication with the government and pursue a resolution.
Usually civil, though civil and criminal reviews can run in parallel.
Your letter or civil investigative demand states a deadline. Do not miss it.
A confidential conversation about your letter and your options.
Last updated: April 2026
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