Details of Fluor Whistle-Blower Suit Released

A federal judge has unsealed a whistle-blower lawsuit accusing a Fluor Corp. subsidiary of overbilling the government for $9.3 million in contract overhead expenses. The U.S. attorney’s office said it would take over prosecution of the civil lawsuit filed under seal in 1997 by a former certified public accountant for Fluor Daniel of Aliso Viejo. Under federal procedures, whistle-blower lawsuits are sealed until federal prosecutors decide whether to intervene on behalf of the complaining party. In his suit, Patrick C. Hoefer, who was in charge of government financial compliance for Fluor Daniel, accuses the engineering and construction company of knowingly submitting false expense certifications, proposals and invoices during the 1995 and 1996 fiscal years. A Fluor spokesman denied any wrongdoing and said the company was disappointed that the Justice Department decided to intervene.