Jones v. Does — civil / arbitration — affirmance — Fuentes

Today the Third Circuit ruled against an employer who argued that an overtime-pay suit against it should have submitted to arbitration. The employees sued the employer under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The employer moved to stay or dismiss pending arbitration, arguing that disputes over interpretation of the collective-bargaining agreement had to be arbitrated, but the district court disagreed and a divided Third Circuit panel affirmed.

Joiing Fuentes was Chagares; Ambro dissented. Arguing counsel were Stuart Weinberger of Goldberg & Weinberger for the employer and Matthew Miller of Swartz Swidler for the employees.

Petras v. Simparel — civil / qui tam — affirmance — McKee

The Third Circuit today affirmed dismissal of a suit under the False Claims Act. Addressing an issue of first impression, the court held that the Small Business Administration was not acting as the government for FCA purposes when it was merely a receiver for a private company. The court also relied on legislative history to rule that certain contingent obligations fell outside the FCA’s scope.

Joining McKee were Hardiman and Rendell. The case was decided without oral argument.