For how long are False Claims Act cases usually sealed?
That is hard to answer because it depends in part on the particular judge assigned to the case. Cases are sealed for an initial 60 day period under the terms of the False Claims Act. When that 60 day period is almost over, the Department of Justice will ask the court for additional time to investigate the case while it is still sealed, usually six months. Some cases remain sealed for many years while the Department of Justice continues to investigate. In other cases, courts may decide to refuse further extensions of the seal after 12 or 18 months.
