Wiley Represents Vermont National Telephone Company in D.C. Circuit FCA Victory

May 18, 2022

Wiley, a preeminent Washington, D.C. law firm, recently represented Vermont National Telephone Company in a case in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed a district court decision that dismissed Vermont National’s False Claims Act claims against DISH Network Corp. and other defendants. Vermont National alleged that DISH and the other defendants defrauded the government of $3.3 billion by manipulating Federal Communications Commission rules and falsely certifying their eligibility for discounts on spectrum licenses to which the defendants were not entitled.  The D.C. Circuit agreed with Vermont National that the district court erred in dismissing the case and that the defendants’ alternative theory for affirming the district court’s decision was meritless.

“We are pleased with the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and Vermont National Telephone Company looks forward to pursuing its claims against DISH and other defendants in federal district court,” said Wiley partner Bennett L. Ross.

The Wiley team included Bert Rein, Bennett L. Ross, and Stephen J. Obermeier.  Vermont National also was represented in the appeal by MoloLamken LLP.