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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 3731. False claims procedure
(a) A subpena requiring the attendance of a witness at a trial or
hearing conducted under section 3730 of this title may be served at
any place in the United States.
(b) A civil action under section 3730 may not be brought -
(1) more than 6 years after the date on which the violation of
section 3729 is committed, or
(2) more than 3 years after the date when facts material to the
right of action are known or reasonably should have been known by
the official of the United States charged with responsibility to
act in the circumstances, but in no event more than 10 years
after the date on which the violation is committed,
whichever occurs last.
(c) In any action brought under section 3730, the United States
shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of
action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Rules
of Criminal Procedure, or the Federal Rules of Evidence, a final
judgment rendered in favor of the United States in any criminal
proceeding charging fraud or false statements, whether upon a
verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere,
shall estop the defendant from denying the essential elements of
the offense in any action which involves the same transaction as in
the criminal proceeding and which is brought under subsection (a)
or (b) of section 3730.
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