Local

Settlement reached in lawsuit over Hanford contracts

6/13/17: Demolition work continues on the Plutonium Finishing Plant on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near Richland. The U.S. Dept. of Energy says there is a high risk that a 2nd tunnel filled with radioactive waste might collapse.

RICHLAND, Wash. — A former Hanford Nuclear Reservation contractor has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in a lawsuit involving millions of dollars in contracts intended for small businesses.

Washington Closure Hanford and the DOJ notified U.S. District Judge Sal Mendoza Jr. on Thursday that a settlement had been reached.

The Tri-City Herald says the notice did not specify the settlement amount.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

The Department of Justice in 2013 filed a civil lawsuit against Washington Closure and others, accusing them of violating the False Claims Act.

Federal prosecutors accused Washington Closure of awarding subcontracts reserved for small businesses - or certain types of small businesses, such as those owned by women - to front companies.

The contractor denied the allegations, but said it wanted to end the litigation.

0