Matson fined US$9 million and agrees to pay $950,000 to whistleblower
JONES Act carrier Matson Navigation has agreed to pay a US$9 million to the US Government for violations under the False Claims Act and agreed to pay $950,000 to the man who informed on the company, reported American Shipper.
Matson said it entered into a settlement agreement on July 17 with the federal government over a whistleblower lawsuit that claimed false fuel surcharges were imposed on military household goods moved in part by rail or truck.
Matson, in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, said it agreed to pay to the federal government $9 million in settlement of all claims and $950,000 to informer Mario Rizzo for expenses, attorney's fees and costs.