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Qui Tam Complaint, United States ex rel. v. Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc., No. 2:24-cv-04274 (C.D. Cal.), Doc. 1

Summary

A qui tam complaint under the False Claims Act, filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on May 23, 2024, No. 2:24-cv-04274, by relator Aidan Forsyth on behalf of the United States against Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc., Spaghetti Warehouse of Ohio Inc. and Warehouse 72 Inc. The complaint alleges that the defendants, which it says collectively owned and operated over 127 affiliated restaurant locations, each applied in or before May 2021 for an SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant while certifying that they did not own or operate more than 20 locations. It alleges that SBA issued RRF grants of approximately $6.4 million in reliance on those statements. The relator seeks treble damages and civil penalties and demands a jury trial; counsel include Heidi Rummel and Eric H. Jaso.

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Case 2:24-cv-04274-SB-AS          Document 1   Filed 05/23/24   Page 1 of 15 Page ID #:1


                                   FEE PAID
                                                                                   FILED
                                                                         CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT




                                                                               5/23/24
                                                                                  eee
                                                                       CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

 1                                                                       BY: ___________________ DEPUTY


                                  UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
 2                               CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

 3                                                       2:24-CV-04274-SB-ASx
        UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                        Case No. ____________
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        ex rel. [UNDER SEAL],                            Hon. ____________
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                    Plaintiff,
 6        v.                                             QUI TAM COMPLAINT
 7                                                       FILED UNDER SEAL
        [UNDER SEAL],                                    UNDER 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2)
 8
                    Defendants.                          JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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                                     TO BE FILED UNDER SEAL
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                                  PURSUANT TO 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2)
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 1 Heidi Rummel, Esq.
   CA Bar No. 183331
 2 699 Exposition Blvd
   Los Angeles, CA 90089
 3 Telephone: (213) 740-2865
   Facsimile: (213) 740-5502
 4 hrummel@law.usc.edu

 5 Eric H, Jaso (pro hac vice admission pending)
   Spiro Harrison & Nelson
 6 363 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 2C
   Montclair, NJ 07042
 7 Telephone: (973) 232-0881
   Facsimile: (973) 232-0887
 8 ejaso@shnlegal.com

 9                                UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

10                              CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

11
                                                           Civil Action No. ____________
12 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
   ex rel. AIDAN FORSYTH,
13
                Plaintiff-Relator,                         Hon. ______________________
14
                v.
15
   SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE RESTAURANTS                         QUI TAM COMPLAINT
16 INC., SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE OF OHIO
                                                           FILED UNDER SEAL
   INC., and WAREHOUSE 72 INC.,                            PURSUANT TO
17
                                                           31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2)
                Defendants.
18
                                                           JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
19                                                    )
20         On behalf of the United States of America (the “United States” or the “Government”),
21 Plaintiff and Relator Aidan Forsyth (“Relator”) files this qui tam action against Defendants

22 Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc. (“SW”), Spaghetti Warehouse of Ohio Inc. (“SWO”), and

23 Warehouse 72 Inc. (“W72”) (collectively, “Defendants”), and alleges as follows:

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             US ex rel. Forsyth v. Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc. Qui Tam Complaint (UNDER SEAL)

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 1                                                INTRODUCTION

 2          1.         This is an action to recover treble damages, civil penalties and all other remedies on

 3 behalf of the United States of America in connection with the Defendant’s materially false and

 4 fraudulent application to the Government for a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Restaurant

 5 Revitalization Fund (“RRF”) grant in violation of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq.

 6 (the “FCA”).

 7          2.         Pursuant to the FCA, Relator seeks to recover, on behalf of the United States of

 8 America, damages and civil penalties arising from false or fraudulent claims for payment that

 9 Defendant submitted or caused to be submitted to the Federal Government-funded RRF grant

10 program.

11                                       SUMMARY OF ALLEGATIONS

12          3.         At all times relevant to this action, SW, SWO, and W72 collectively owned and

13 operated over 127 affiliated restaurant locations.

14          4.         Despite this, in or before May 2021, each of the Defendants applied for an RRF

15 grant.

16          5.         In the application, Defendants falsely stated and certified that SW, SWO and W72

17 were eligible entities which did not own or operate more than 20 restaurant locations. Defendants

18 also expressly acknowledged that submitting a materially false application would violate federal

19 law.

20          6.         In reliance on these false statements and certifications, the SBA issued RRF grants to

21 Defendants of approximately $6.4 million.

22          7.         Had Defendants been truthful in their statements and certifications to the SBA, the

23 grants would never have been issued, because the business owned and/or operated significantly

24 more restaurant locations than was permissible under the law.

25          8.         Relator files this qui tam lawsuit to enable the Government to recover from

26 Defendant the SBA issued monies that were provided to Defendant as the result of its wrongdoing,

27 as well as to recover treble damages and/or penalties.

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 1                      JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

 2          9.         This Court possesses subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28

 3 U.S.C. § 1331 because it arises under the laws of the United States, under 31 U.S.C. § 3729 of the

 4 False Claims Act, and under 28 U.S.C. § 1345, which provides the United States District Courts

 5 with original jurisdiction over all civil actions commenced by the United States of America.

 6          10.        In addition, the FCA specifically confers jurisdiction upon the United States District

 7 Courts under 31 U.S.C. § 3732. This Court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendants pursuant

 8 to 31 U.S.C. § 3732(a) because multiple of the Defendants have principal places of business in this

 9 District.

10          11.        Venue is proper in this District under 31 U.S.C. § 3732(a) because certain of the acts

11 complained of herein occurred in this District.

12          12.        In accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2), this Complaint has been filed in camera

13 and will remain under seal for a period of at least 60 days, and shall not be served on the Defendants

14 until the Court so orders.

15          13.        Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2), the Relator must provide the Government with a

16 copy of the Complaint and a written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and material

17 information in his possession contemporaneous with the filing of the Complaint. Relator has

18 complied with this provision by contemporaneously serving copies of the Complaint and such

19 disclosure upon the Honorable E. Martin Estrada, United States Attorney for the Central District of

20 California, and upon the Honorable Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General of the United States.

21          14.        Relator is not aware that the allegations in this Complaint have been publicly

22 disclosed. In any event, this Court has jurisdiction under 31 U.S.C. § 3730(e)(4) because the

23 Relator is an “original source” since he has voluntarily provided his information to Government

24 before filing this Complaint, and has knowledge which is both direct and independent of, and

25 materially adds to, any public disclosures to the extent they may exist.

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 1                                   PARTIES & RELATED ENTITIES

 2          15.     Plaintiff/Relator Aidan Forsyth resides at 55 West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011.

 3          16.     Defendant Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc. was incorporated in the State of

 4 Texas on or about June 1, 1972. Its mailing address was 949 S Coast Dr. Ste 450 Costa Mesa, CA.

 5 92626-7707. The address of SW’s registered agent was 838 Walker Road Suite 21-2 Dover, DE

 6 19904. SW operated as a 7-unit restaurant chain and is 100% owned by a California entity named

 7 “Frandeli LLC.”1

 8          17.     Defendant Spaghetti Warehouse of Ohio, Inc. was incorporated in the State of

 9 Delaware on or about June 7, 2019. The address of SWO’s registered agent was 838 Walker Road

10 Suite 21-2 Dover, DE 19904. Doug Pak served as the CEO of SWO.

11          18.     Defendant Warehouse 72, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware on or about

12 July 26, 2018. The address of W72’s registered agent was 838 Walker Road Suite 21-2 Dover, DE

13 19904. Doug Pak was the President and Director of W72.

14          19.     BLD Brands, LLC was incorporated in the State of California on or about December

15 4, 2014. Its principal address was located at 949 South Coast Drive Suite 450 Costa Mesa, CA

16 92626. BLD was a restaurant business that had two restaurant divisions: Serazen LLC and Spaghetti

17 Warehouse Restaurants, Inc. Doug Pak was the sole manager and CEO of BLD.

18          20.     Serazen LLC was incorporated in the State of Delaware on or about November 15,

19 2010. The address of Serazen’s registered agent was 838 Walker Road Suite 21-2 Dover, DE

20 19904. Serazen was a multi-unit franchise operator of over 70 Papa John’s locations and over 50

21 Hardee’s locations. Serazen operated franchises under the entities Papa John’s Ohio LLC, PJ Ohio

22 LLC, Serazen LLC, BLD Brands LLC, PJ Las Vegas LLC, PJ North Carolina LLC.

23          21.     Frandeli Group LLC was incorporated in the State of California on or about October

24 3, 2005. FG’s principal address was located at 20377 SW Acacia St., 2nd Floor Newport Beach, CA

25 92660. Doug Pak was the Manager of FG.

26

27   1
      No California LLC has been incorporated under the name Frandeli LLC. However, non-defendant Frandeli Group
     LLC is incorporated in California.
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 1                GOVERNING LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND CODES OF CONDUCT

 2                                            The False Claims Act

 3          22.     Originally enacted in 1863, the FCA was substantially amended in 1986 by the False

 4 Claims Amendments Act. The 1986 amendments enhanced the Government’s ability to recover

 5 losses sustained as a result of fraud against the United States. Further clarifying amendments were

 6 adopted in May 2009 and March 2010.

 7          23.     The FCA imposes liability upon any person who “knowingly presents, or causes to

 8 be presented [to the Government] a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval”; or

 9 “knowingly makes, uses or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false

10 or fraudulent claim”; or “knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or

11 statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government, or

12 knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or

13 transmit money or property to the Government.” 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(A), (B), (G). Any person

14 found to have violated these provisions or conspired to have violated these provisions is liable for a

15 civil penalty of at least $13,946.00 and up to $27,894.00 per claim plus three times the amount of

16 the damages sustained by the Government, as provided by 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a), 20 CFR Part 356

17 and 28 CFR Part 85 (see also 88 FR 5776, Feb. 12, 2024).

18          24.     The FCA defines the terms “knowing” and “knowingly” to mean that a person (1)

19 “has actual knowledge of the information”; (2) “acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of

20 the information”; or acts “in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information.” 31 U.S.C.

21 § 3729(b)(1)(A). The statute provides that “no proof of specific intent to defraud” is required. 31

22 U.S.C. § 3729(b)(1)(B).

23          25.     The FCA also broadly defines a “claim” as one that includes “any request or

24 demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property and whether or not the

25 United States has title to the money or property, that – (i) is presented to an officer, employee, or

26 agent of the United States; or (ii) is made to a contractor, grantee, or other recipient, if the money or

27 property is to be spent or used on the Government’s behalf or to advance a Government program or

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 1 interest, and if the United States Government – (i) provides or has provided any portion of the

 2 money or property requested or demanded; or (ii) will reimburse such contractor, grantee, or other

 3 recipient for any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded.” 31 U.S.C. §

 4 3729(b)(2)(A).

 5          26.     The FCA empowers private persons having information regarding a false or

 6 fraudulent claim against the Government to bring an action on behalf of the Government and to

 7 share in any recovery. The complaint must be filed under seal without service on any Defendant.

 8 The complaint remains under seal while the Government conducts an investigation of the

 9 allegations in the complaint and determines whether to intervene in the action. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b).

10          27.     In this action, and under well-established precedent, the false and fraudulent nature

11 of Defendants’ conduct is informed or measured by their violation of, or failure to comply with,

12 certain statutes and regulations material to the submission of applications for government-

13 subsidized and/or issued small business loans.

14          The American Rescue Plan Act Establishes the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

15          28.     The American Rescue Plan Act (the “ARPA”) established the Restaurant

16 Revitalization Fund (“RRF”), which gave the federal Small Business Administration (“SBA”) the

17 authority to provide funding to help restaurants that suffered financial loss due to the COVID-19

18 pandemic.

19          29.     The RRF became effective on or about April 28, 2021, and was designed to provide

20 restaurants with funding equal to their losses that resulted from the pandemic up to $10 million per

21 business, with no more than $5 million per physical location.

22          30.     Recipients of funding pursuant to the RRF were not required to repay money

23 received as long as funds were put towards eligible uses on or before March 11, 2023. Eligible uses

24 included payment of business expenses including, but not limited to, payroll costs, payments on

25 mortgage obligation, rent payments, debt service, utility payments, maintenance expenses,

26 construction of outdoor seating, business supplies, food and beverage expenses, covered supplier

27 costs, and operating expenses.

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 1          31.     Entities that were eligible to apply for an RRF loan were entities that had

 2 experienced pandemic-related revenue loss including restaurants, food stands, food trucks, food

 3 carts, caterers, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, snack and non-alcoholic beverage bars, bakeries,

 4 brewpubs, tasting rooms, breweries, wineries, distilleries, inns, and other licensed facilities of a

 5 beverage alcohol producer where the public could taste, sample or purchase products.

 6          32.     To obtain an RRF loan, a qualifying business was required to complete the SBA

 7 Form 3172 application. The RRF loan application (SBA Form 3172) required the business (through

 8 its authorized representative) to acknowledge the RRF program rules and make certain affirmative

 9 certifications to be eligible to obtain the RRF loan.

10          33.     The applicant’s authorized representative was required to provide business tax

11 information including gross receipts reported on the applicant’s tax returns and the total amount of

12 PPP loans and other pandemic-related government loans, if any, received by the applicant for the

13 purpose of calculating the applicant’s funding amount.

14          34.     Question 1(b) of the application required the authorized representative to certify that

15 as of March 13, 2020, the applicant did not “own[ ] or operate[ ] (together with any affiliated

16 business) more than 20 locations, regardless of whether those locations do business under the same

17 or multiple names” and stated that “if Yes, the Applicant is not eligible.”

18          35.     The application further required the applicant’s representative to “certify that the

19 information provided in this application and the information provided in all supporting documents

20 and forms is true and accurate in all material respects” and that “knowingly making a false

21 statement to obtain a grant from SBA is punishable under the law,” including by imprisonment.

22          36.     Once submitted, the SBA reviewed applications from priority application groups

23 first. Priority groups referred to small businesses with at least 51% ownership by one or more

24 individuals who were women, veterans, or socially and economically disadvantaged. The SBA was

25 directed by Congress to review RRF applications submitted by priority groups in Days 1 through 21

26 of the RRF loan effective date and all other applicants from Day 22 through the exhaustion of the

27 funds.

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 1          37.     Following a successful application submission, all applications entered “IRS

 2 verification” status. This process took up to seven days and allowed the SBA to validate the

 3 application submission.

 4                                      SPECIFIC FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

 5                         SW, SWO and W72 were Affiliated Entities that Owned and

 6                                  Operated at Least 127 Restaurant Locations

 7          38.     SW owned and operated at least 7 restaurant locations, including SWO and W72.

 8          39.     Doug Pak was the CEO of SWO and the President and Director of W72. Moreover,

 9 upon in formation and belief, SW was 100% owned and operated by FG, which Doug Pak was the

10 Manager of. Doug Pak was also the sole manager and CEO of BLD.

11          40.     SW was affiliated with Serazen, as Serazen and SW made up the two restaurant

12 divisions of BLD.

13          41.     Further, SWO, W72, and Serazen all had the same listed registered agent address of

14 838 Walker Road Suite 21-2 Dover, DE 19904.

15          42.     Serazen owned and operated at least 70 Papa John’s locations and at least another 50

16 Hardee’s locations.

17                                      SW Applies for and Receives a

18                                                 RRF Grant

19          43.     In or before May 2021, an authorized representative of SW prepared or caused to be

20 prepared an SBA application for a RRF Grant (using SBA Form 3172, effective April 19, 2021) on

21 behalf of SW.

22          44.     Question 1(b) of the Application required the authorized representative to certify that

23 as of March 13, 2020, the applicant did not “own[ ] or operate[ ] (together with any affiliated

24 business) more than 20 locations, regardless of whether those locations do business under the same

25 or multiple names” and expressly stated that “if Yes, the Applicant is not eligible.”

26          45.     The application required the applicant’s representative to “certify that the

27 information provided in this application and the information provided in all supporting documents

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 1 and forms is true and accurate in all material respects” and that “knowingly making a false

 2 statement to obtain a grant from SBA is punishable under the law,” including by imprisonment.

 3          46.     Upon information and belief, an authorized representative of SW executed an RRF

 4 grant application on behalf of SW.

 5          47.     Upon information and belief, despite having well over 20 affiliated restaurant

 6 locations, an authorized representative of SW falsely answered or caused to be answered “No” to

 7 Question 1(b) in the loan application.

 8          48.     Upon information and belief, an authorized representative of SW falsely certified or

 9 caused to be certified that “the information provided in this application and the information

10 provided in all supporting documents and forms is true and accurate in all material respects.”

11          49.     In or before May 2021, an authorized representative submitted or caused to be

12 submitted SW’s RRF grant application to the SBA.

13          50.     On or about May 21, 2021, in reliance on SW’s materially false and fraudulent

14 representations and certifications in the loan application, the SBA issued Grant #5220539008 to SW

15 in the amount of $3,013,757.00.

16                                     SWO Applies for and Receives a

17                                                 RRF Grant

18          51.     In or before May 2021, an authorized representative of SWO prepared or caused to

19 be prepared an SBA application for a RRF Grant (using SBA Form 3172, effective April 19, 2021)

20 on behalf of SWO.

21          52.     Question 1(b) of the Application required the authorized representative to certify that

22 as of March 13, 2020, the applicant did not “own[ ] or operate[ ] (together with any affiliated

23 business) more than 20 locations, regardless of whether those locations do business under the same

24 or multiple names” and expressly stated that “if Yes, the Applicant is not eligible.”

25          53.     The application required the applicant’s representative to “certify that the

26 information provided in this application and the information provided in all supporting documents

27

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 1 and forms is true and accurate in all material respects” and that “knowingly making a false

 2 statement to obtain a grant from SBA is punishable under the law,” including by imprisonment.

 3          54.     Upon information and belief, despite having well over 20 affiliated restaurant

 4 locations, an authorized representative of SWO executed an RRF grant application on behalf of

 5 SWO.

 6          55.     Upon information and belief, an authorized representative of SWO falsely answered

 7 or caused to be answered “No” to Question 1(b) in the loan application.

 8          56.     Upon information and belief, an authorized representative of SWO falsely certified

 9 or caused to be certified that “the information provided in this application and the information

10 provided in all supporting documents and forms is true and accurate in all material respects.”

11          57.     In or before May 2021, an authorized representative submitted or caused to be

12 submitted SWO’s RRF grant application to the SBA.

13          58.     On or about May 19, 2021, in reliance on SWO’s materially false and fraudulent

14 representations and certifications in the loan application, the SBA issued Grant #3720179004 to

15 SWO in the amount of $2,073,069.29.

16                                      W72 Applies for and Receives a

17                                                 RRF Grant

18          59.     In or before May 2021, an authorized representative of W72 prepared or caused to be

19 prepared an SBA application for a RRF Grant (using SBA Form 3172, effective April 19, 2021) on

20 behalf of W72.

21          60.     Question 1(b) of the Application required the authorized representative to certify that

22 as of March 13, 2020, the applicant did not “own[ ] or operate[ ] (together with any affiliated

23 business) more than 20 locations, regardless of whether those locations do business under the same

24 or multiple names” and expressly stated that “if Yes, the Applicant is not eligible.”

25          61.     The application required the applicant’s representative to “certify that the

26 information provided in this application and the information provided in all supporting documents

27

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 1 and forms is true and accurate in all material respects” and that “knowingly making a false

 2 statement to obtain a grant from SBA is punishable under the law,” including by imprisonment.

 3           62.    Upon information and belief, despite having well over 20 affiliated restaurant

 4 locations, an authorized representative of W72 executed an RRF grant application on behalf of

 5 W72.

 6           63.    Upon information and belief, an authorized representative of W72 falsely answered

 7 or caused to be answered “No” to Question 1(b) in the loan application.

 8           64.    Upon information and belief, an authorized representative of W72 falsely certified or

 9 caused to be certified that “the information provided in this application and the information

10 provided in all supporting documents and forms is true and accurate in all material respects.”

11           65.    In or before May 2021, an authorized representative submitted or caused to be

12 submitted W72’s RRF grant application to the SBA.

13           66.    On or about May 21, 2021, in reliance on W72’s materially false and fraudulent

14 representations and certifications in the loan application, the SBA issued Grant #5244769001 to

15 W72 in the amount of $1,266,745.80.

16                 THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF

17                                       DEFENDANTS’ CONDUCT

18           67.    Defendants’ materially false statements have caused the federal government to be

19 defrauded of taxpayer funds in the approximate amount of $6,353,572.09.

20                                          CLAIMS FOR RELIEF

21                                                  COUNT I

22                                              False Claims Act:

23                   Presenting or Causing to be Presented False and Fraudulent Claims

24                                           U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(A)

25

26           68.    Relator repeats the allegations contained in the above paragraphs as if fully set forth

27 herein.

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 1           69.    As more particularly set forth in the foregoing paragraphs, by virtue of the acts

 2 alleged herein, the Defendants have knowingly presented, and caused to be presented, false or

 3 fraudulent claims for payment or approval in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(A).

 4                                                  COUNT II

 5                                              False Claims Act:

 6                                            Making or Using False

 7                             Records or Statement to Cause Claims to be Paid

 8                                          31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(B)

 9

10           70.    Relator repeats the allegations contained in the above paragraphs as if fully set forth

11 herein.

12           71.    As more particularly set forth in the foregoing paragraphs, by virtue of the acts

13 alleged herein, the Defendants have knowingly made, used, or caused to be made or used, false

14 records or statements – i.e., the false representations made or caused to be made by Defendants –

15 material to false or fraudulent claims in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(B).

16                                                 COUNT III

17                                        False Claims Act: Conspiracy

18                                          31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(C)

19

20           72.    Relator repeats the allegations contained in the above paragraphs as if fully set forth

21 herein.

22           73.    As more particularly set forth in the foregoing paragraphs, by virtue of the acts

23 alleged herein, the Defendants conspired with and among each other, and with others, to make or

24 present false or fraudulent claims, and performed one or more overt acts to effect the submission

25 and cause the payment of false or fraudulent claims.

26

27

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 1                                             DEMANDS FOR RELIEF

 2                  WHEREFORE, Relator, on behalf of the United States Government, demands

 3 judgment against the Defendants, ordering that:

 4           A.     That Defendants be ordered to cease and desist from submitting any more false

 5 claims, or further violating 31 U.S.C. § 3729, et seq.;

 6           B.     That judgment be entered in Relator’s favor and against Defendants in the amount of

 7 each and every false or fraudulent claim, multiplied as provided for in 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a), plus a

 8 civil penalty of not less than $13,946.00 and up to $27,894.00 per claim as provided by 31 U.S.C. §

 9 3729(a), 20 CFR Part 356 and 28 CFR Part 85 (see 88 FR 5776, Feb. 12, 2024), to the extent such

10 multiplied penalties shall fairly compensate the United States of America for losses resulting from

11 the various schemes undertaken by Defendants, together with penalties for specific claims to be

12 identified at trial after full discovery;

13           C.     That Defendants be ordered to disgorge all sums by which they have been enriched

14 unjustly by their wrongful conduct;

15           D.     That judgment be granted for Relator against Defendants for all costs, including, but

16 not limited to, court costs, expert fees and all attorneys’ fees incurred by Relator in the prosecution

17 of this suit; and

18           E.     That Relator be granted such other and further relief as the Court deems just and

19 proper.

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              US ex rel. Forsyth v. Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc. Qui Tam Complaint (UNDER SEAL)

                                                    SHN\794342.1
Case 2:24-cv-04274-SB-AS           Document 1 Filed 05/23/24              Page 15 of 15 Page ID
                                            #:15



 1                                            TRIAL BY JURY

 2        Relator hereby demands a trial by jury as to all issues.

 3
     DATE: May 21, 2024                           Respectfully submitted,
 4

 5
                                                           By: ___/s/ Heidi Rummel________
 6                                                         Heidi Rummel, Esq.
                                                           CA Bar No. 183331
 7                                                         699 Exposition Blvd.
                                                           Los Angeles, CA 90089
 8                                                         Telephone: (213) 740-2865
                                                           Facsimile: (213) 740-5502
 9
                                                           hrummel@law.usc.edu
10
                                                           Eric H. Jaso (pro hac vice admission pending)
11                                                         SPIRO HARRISON & NELSON
                                                           363 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 2C
12                                                         Montclair, NJ 07042
13                                                         Telephone: (973) 232-0881
                                                           Facsimile: (973) 232-0887
14                                                         ejaso@shnlegal.com

15                                                         Attorneys for Relator
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            US ex rel. Forsyth v. Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc. Qui Tam Complaint (UNDER SEAL)

                                                  SHN\794342.1


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