Record-Breaking FY 2025 FCA Recoveries Foreshadow Continued Aggressive Enforcement

DOJ's False Claims Act enforcement remains a top priority, with the highest single-year recovery in the statute's history.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:25am

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The annual False Claims Act (FCA) recovery statistics issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for Fiscal Year 2025 represent the highest single-year recovery in FCA history at $6.89 billion, underscoring the FCA's continued status as one of the government's most effective tools for combating fraud involving federal funds. This record-breaking recovery, driven largely by suits filed prior to the current administration, has been fully embraced by the administration, which has signaled that vigorous FCA enforcement will remain a top priority.

Why it matters

The record-breaking FY 2025 FCA recoveries and the administration's commitment to aggressive enforcement suggest that companies and individuals doing business with the government will face continued scrutiny and the risk of substantial FCA liability, particularly in areas like healthcare, defense contracting, pandemic relief programs, and emerging enforcement priorities like trade fraud and cybersecurity compliance.

The details

The $6.89 billion recovered in FY 2025 represents the highest single-year recovery in FCA history, surpassing the previous record of $6.16 billion set in FY 2014. This record-breaking total marks the 17th consecutive year in which FCA recoveries exceeded $2 billion. The healthcare industry remained the dominant focus of FCA enforcement, with recoveries totaling approximately $5.72 billion, while the defense industry saw a notable increase in recoveries to $634 million. DOJ also signaled that it will prioritize enforcement of international trade and customs fraud, including tariff evasion, and will continue to use the FCA to promote cybersecurity compliance by government contractors and grant recipients.

  • The $6.89 billion recovered in FY 2025 represents the highest single-year recovery in the history of the FCA.
  • This record-breaking total marks the 17th consecutive year in which FCA recoveries exceeded $2 billion.

The players

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The U.S. Department of Justice, which issued the record-breaking FY 2025 FCA recovery statistics and has signaled that vigorous FCA enforcement will remain a top priority for the current administration.

Todd Blanche

Deputy Attorney General, who emphasized that stopping rampant fraud is a top priority and that the FCA remains one of the government's most powerful weapons against fraud.

Brett A. Shumate

Assistant Attorney General of DOJ's Civil Division, who noted that the FY 2025 achievements reflect exemplary work by DOJ employees to investigate and litigate cases involving fraud against the government.

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What they’re saying

“Stopping rampant fraud is a top priority, and this record-breaking year proves the False Claims Act remains one of the government's most powerful weapons against fraud.”

— Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General

“The achievements announced today reflect exemplary work by the Department's dedicated employees to investigate and litigate cases involving fraud against the government and to ensure that America's taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purpose.”

— Brett A. Shumate, Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Civil Division

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This record-breaking year of FCA recoveries underscores the government's continued commitment to using the FCA as a powerful tool to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in government programs, with a particular focus on healthcare, defense contracting, pandemic relief, trade fraud, and cybersecurity compliance. Companies and individuals doing business with the government should expect continued aggressive FCA enforcement in the year ahead.