Rockwell Int'l Corp. v. United States, 549 U.S. 457 (2007)

In Rockwell International Corp. v. United States, the underlying dispute centers around the management of the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant in Colorado, which Rockwell International operated under a contract with the Department of Energy (DOE) from 1975 to 1989. During this period, Rockwell explored a method for disposing of toxic pond sludge by mixing it with cement to create "pondcrete" blocks. James Stone, an engineer at the plant from 1980 to 1986, raised concerns about the proposed manufacturing process, predicting that it would result in an unstable mixture that could lead to environmental contamination. Despite his warnings, Rockwell proceeded with the project, and after Stone's departure, it was discovered that many of the pondcrete blocks were "insolid" and leaking, raising significant environmental concerns. The procedural history of the case involves a False Claims Act lawsuit brought by James Stone against Rockwell International, alleging that the company knowingly submitted false claims to the government regarding the safety and integrity of the pondcrete blocks. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court after the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed the issue of whether Stone qualified as an "original source" of the information related to the claims, which is a key factor in determining the jurisdiction of the federal courts under the False Claims Act. The background context highlights the complexity and duration of the litigation, which spans nearly two decades. The case underscores significant issues related to environmental safety, corporate accountability, and the legal standards governing whistleblower protections under the False Claims Act. Stone's allegations were initially based on his firsthand knowledge and experience at the Rocky Flats plant, raising questions about the extent of Rockwell's awareness of the pondcrete's deficiencies and the potential implications for public health and safety.

Whether James Stone was an "original source" of information under the False Claims Act, thereby allowing him to maintain a lawsuit despite the public disclosure of allegations related to Rockwell International Corp.'s conduct.

The judgment is vacated and remanded for a determination whether Stone was in fact an original source of the allegations publicly disclosed by the media in 1988 and 1989.