They simply wont have it.
It will be lost - overwritten, whatever.
No.. that excuse would prove they did something illegal and likely a violation of their contract with the US Government.
The proper answer is..
“the data was never sent”
The Government will make Sonasoft an offer they cannot refuse.
Loss of all Government contracts, and destruction of the Business. Send all upper management to jail based on trumped up charges, adjudicated by a Federal Judge who happens to be a major 0bama bundler.
Or, proffer this lame excuse which sounds plausible