In the spring of 2018, the Charity & Security Network learned of several lawsuits filed in U.S. courts against nonprofit organizations that receive USAID funding. Using a law meant to combat fraud against the federal government by providing incentives for private citizens to act as whistleblowers (the False Claims Act), the Zionist Advocacy Center (TZAC) has alleged that three groups violated the anti-terrorist certification in their grant agreements with USAID by providing “material support” to groups on the terrorist lists. In two of these cases, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) joined the lawsuits, which were settled without trial. The third, against the Carter Center, was dismissed at the request of DOJ. TZAC says it has filed two additional cases against international NGOs. They are currently under seal.
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Nonprofits with USAID Funding May Be Vulnerable to Federal Lawsuits
In the spring of 2018, the Charity & Security Network learned of several lawsuits filed in U.S. courts against nonprofit organizations (NPOs) that receive USAID funding. Using a law meant to combat fraud against
USAID Revises Grantee Documents Relating to Anti-Terrorism Requirements
New changes to two documents related to USAID’s contract and certification process have reduced the “look-back” period from 10 to three years, and clarified that grantees need only check U.S. government and UN terrorist lists
TZAC Sues New Israel Fund in New York State Court
The Zionist Advocacy Center (TZAC) has announced the unsealing of a new case challenging the tax-exempt status of the New Israel Fund under New York state law. From the filings available at press time, it
TZAC Files Notice of Voluntary Dismissal in Case Against Oxfam GB
Use of the U.S. False Claims Act (FCA) to attack nonprofit organizations’ programs in Palestine took a setback in late December 2019 when the Zionist Advocacy Center’s (TZAC) FCA case against Oxfam Great Britain was
False Claim Act Lawsuits: What Nonprofits Need to Know
Please click here for a printable PDF of this Issue Brief. What is the False Claims Act and why is it an Issue? The False Claims Act (FCA) is a U.S. law that
False Claims Act Suits Against NGOs: What Nonprofits Need to Know
The Charity & Security Network will host a special online briefing for nonprofit organizations (NPOs) on use of the False Claims Act, a law meant to protect whistleblowers, to sue NPOs working in Palestine and other complex environments.