Michael Granston, Chair of Covington’s False Claims Act Investigations and Litigation practice, spent nearly three decades at the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and for the last six years served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General, the highest-ranking career employee in the Civil Division.
Michael advanced through the ranks within the Civil Fraud Section, beginning his DOJ career as a Trial Attorney, and eventually serving as Director from 2013 to 2019. As Director, he oversaw the Department’s pursuit of False Claims Act (“FCA”) investigations and litigation, as well as other actions relating to fraud, kickbacks, and conflicts of interest.
Michael most recently served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General starting in 2019. In this capacity, he managed not only the Civil Fraud Section but also all aspects of the Commercial Litigation Branch, including litigation in areas such as international trade, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and bid protests.
During his tenure at DOJ, Michael supervised many of the most significant FCA matters while playing a primary role in formulating the Department’s FCA priorities and policies. He spearheaded DOJ’s approach to major statutory changes in 2009 and 2010 to the FCA and its qui tam provisions. He also was instrumental in developing various DOJ guidance on the investigation and handling of FCA matters, including most notably a 2018 memorandum that clarified when DOJ should consider dismissing non-intervened whistleblower suits—commonly referred to as the “Granston Memorandum.” Michael helped identify and advance key enforcement priorities under the FCA across multiple administrations, including fraud involving prescription opioids, the Medicare Part C and D programs, the Anti-Kickback and Stark Statutes, government contracts and grants, cybersecurity issues, and trade and customs laws.
Michael also served as the Civil Division’s Chief Ethics Officer and was a member of the State Secrets Review Committee.
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