COFC Allows Government to Amend Answer Asserting New Affirmative Defense and Fraud Counterclaims; COFC Nos. 13-500C, The Hanover Insurance Co. v. United States

The Court of Federal Claims allowed the government to amend its answer to a claim challenging a termination for default of a construction contract, finding that the plaintiffs would not be prejudiced by allowing the government to assert an affirmative defense of illegality arising from a false claim, and three counterclaims based on fraud and false claims.