The United States is suing Sprint, claiming that the company overcharged the government for court-ordered wiretapping expenses. 

The dispute over $21 million in surveillance expenses was filed by the Department of Justice and claimed that for more than three years, Sprint charged the FBI and other agencies twice what it cost to wiretap during investigations.  As a result, the federal government is calling for the company to pay $63 million.

In 2006, the FCC ruled that companies are responsible for investing in the capacity to wiretap and monitor customers, should a court order it. Legally, Sprint is permitted to charge only for the costs of installing and maintaining a wiretap, and not for costs associated with making sure facilities and equipment are up-to-date for such purposes. 

According to the Associated Press, a Sprint representative denied the claims. 

Thousands of wiretaps are installed each year to aid in criminal investigations. The average cost to wiretap is around $50,000, but varies by geographic location.