⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit hears Marshall Austin v. Charleston Day School. Austin was a volunteer trustee and parent of three students. In December 2021, he reviewed board-portal records about federal pandemic-relief funds; the school then cut off his access. Seven weeks later, the board removed him and declined to reenroll his children. Austin sued under the False Claims Act, which protects employees, contractors, and agents from retaliation for lawful efforts to stop false claims against the government. Austin says that protection covered his investigation; the school says it acted over confidentiality, masking, and governance disputes. The district court granted the school summary judgment, finding Austin was not its agent and failed the notice and causation requirements. The appeal asks whether agency, protected activity, notice, and causation should go to a jury.

Marshall Austin v. Charleston Day School (No. 25-1858) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, argued September 17, 2026.