United States ex rel. Sequoia Orange Co. v. Baird-Neece Packing Corp.

Outcome: Court affirmed the decision dismissing action

Description: In the first case litigated under section 3730(c)(2)(A), the Ninth Circuit concluded that the government can dismiss even a meritorious False Claims Act lawsuit over the objections of the qui tam plaintiff provided the dismissal is rationally related to legitimate governmental interests. This case set the standard used to determine when the government can cause a dismissal irrespective of the merits of the case.