Enrolled Copy S.J.R. 7
1 JOINT RESOLUTION APPROVING SETTLEMENT
2 AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES
3 2023 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Jerry W. Stevenson
6 House Sponsor: Val L. Peterson
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution approves a proposed settlement agreement.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 < approves the proposed settlement agreement related to the United States' claims
14 against the state of Utah in United States, ex. rel. Williams, v. State of Utah, et. al.,
15 United States District Court, District of Utah, Case No. 2:15-cv-00054.
16 Special Clauses:
17 None
18
19 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20 WHEREAS, Reginald Williams, a Utah Department of Corrections inmate, filed a qui
21 tam action against the state of Utah and certain current and former state employees ("State
22 Defendants") in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, Case No.
23 2:15-cv-00054 ("Williams Lawsuit");
24 WHEREAS, Williams alleged violations of the federal False Claims Act related to the
25 state's use of certain federal grant funds received between 2009 and 2011;
26 WHEREAS, pursuant to the False Claims Act, the United States intervened in the case
27 adding fraud claims and seeking repayment of all of the grant amounts plus treble damages,
28 totaling more than $50,000,000;
29 WHEREAS, the parties attended a settlement conference with the court and reached a
 S.J.R. 7 Enrolled Copy
30 proposed agreement to settle the claims brought by the United States ("Settlement
31 Agreement");
32 WHEREAS, under the Settlement Agreement, the state agrees to pay the United States
33 $1,550,000 and the United States agrees to release all claims asserted, or that could have been
34 asserted, in the Williams Lawsuit;
35 WHEREAS, pursuant to Utah Code Section 63G-10-302, the governor has approved
36 the Settlement Agreement;
37 WHEREAS, Utah Code Section 63G-10-303 requires approval from the Legislature for
38 any settlement agreement that legally binds the state to take action that might cost government
39 entities more than $1,000,000 to implement; and
40 WHEREAS, the cost of implementing the Settlement Agreement will exceed
41 $1,000,000:
42 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature approves the Settlement
43 Agreement.
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