O'Connell Ex Rel. United States v. Regents of the University of California

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
O'Connell Ex Rel. United States v. Regents of the University of California, 670 F. App'x 965 (9th Cir. 2016)

O'Connell Ex Rel. United States v. Regents of the University of California

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Michael J. O’Connell appeals pro se from the district court’s judgment dismiss *966 ing his qui tam action alleging violations of the False Claims Act. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo. Omar v. Sea-Land Service, Inc., 813 F.2d 986, 991 (9th Cir. 1987). We affirm.

The district court properly dismissed O’Connell’s action because the Regents of the University of California are a state entity and the False Claims Act does not provide a private right of action against state entities. See Donald v. Univ. of Cal. Bd. of Regents, 329 F.3d 1040, 1043-44 (9th Cir. 2003) (“Because a state entity is not identified as a ‘person’ for purposes of § 3729, the relators can claim no statutory basis under § 3730(b)(1) to bring suit against the Regents.”); see also Vt. Agency of Nat. Res. v. United States ex rel. Stevens, 529 U.S. 765, 787-88, 120 S.Ct. 1858, 146 L.Ed.2d 836 (2000) (“We hold that a private individual has standing to bring suit in federal court on 'behalf of the United States under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, but that the False Claims Act does not subject a State (or state agency) to liability in such actions.”).

Contrary to O’Connell’s contention, the district court did not err in dismissing O’Connell’s action prior to the issuance of a summons. See Franklin v. Or., State Welfare Div., 662 F.2d 1337, 1343 (9th Cir. 1981).

AFFIRMED.

**

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Reference

Full Case Name
Michael J. O’CONNELL, Relator; Ex Rel. United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Defendant-Appellee
Status
Unpublished