Accenture settles with DOJ; AG says promotions should be based on merit

Accenture Federal Services (AFS), Accenture plc, and Accenture LLP (Accenture) have agreed to pay the United States $25 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act by the US Justice Department. The department accused the technology consulting company of failing to comply with anti-discrimination requirements in federal contracts and discriminating against employees and applicants for employment because of race or sex. The settlement resolves allegations that from 2017 to the present, AFS falsely certified compliance with these conditions, while engaging in discriminatory employment practices.In an official release, Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said “Opportunity and promotion in the workplace must be earned through merit,” adding “Today’s resolution makes unmistakably clear that the Department will continue to aggressively pursue unconstitutional discriminatory employment practices.”What was Accenture accused ofMost federal contracts contain a provision that requires contractors to provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment.