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Stevens filed suit under the False Calms Act (FCA), which provides for a private person to bring a qui tam civil action \u0022in the name of the [Federal] Government,\u0022 against \u0022any person\u0022 who \u0022knowingly presents...to...the...Government...a false or fraudulent claim for payment.\u0022 The State of Vermont moved to dismiss the suit, arguing that a State or state agency is not a \u0022person\u0022 subject to liability under the FCA and that a qui tam action in federal court against a State is barred by the Eleventh Amendment. The District Court denied the motion. Vermont then filed an interlocutory appeal. Thereupon, the court stayed its proceedings and the United States intervened in the appeal in support of Stevens. 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