February 24, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
Medtronic, Inc. – a company familiar with false claims allegations – has agreed to pay $2.8 million to settle claims it unlawfully induced physicians and medical practitioners to use its spinal neuromodulation devices to treat conditions not considered by the FDA when the product was granted approval. This dangerous and […]
February 23, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
Medical device manufacturer EV3, an owner of the subsidiary Covidien, Inc., has agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit brought about following allegations it intentionally offered fraudulent billing advice to hospitals with regard to the use of its atherectomy products. The case was settled after […]
February 20, 2015
Customs Fraud
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of eco-friendly reusable shopping bags has settled claims it unlawfully evaded customs payments by using a complex invoicing scheme designed to intentionally defraud the government out of money. Following a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former executive with Green Bag Co., Inc., investigators from […]
February 19, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In today’s case, we explore a somewhat increasing phenomenon of unlawful and fraudulent billing practices pertaining to palliative (i.e., end of life) care. When it comes to palliative care, Medicaid and Medicare enrollees may receive coverage for hospice services as long as certain criteria are met. Namely, there must be […]
February 18, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
Home-based nursing care is considered somewhat of a luxury under government healthcare regulations. This means there are limited circumstances under which programs like Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE will reimburse a company for home-based services. Patients must meet strict eligibility criteria prior to receiving reimbursement. Under current guidelines, a medical doctor […]
February 17, 2015
Medicaid Fraud
A recent press release from the Department of Justice alleged that several hospitals within the nationwide Community Health System (CHS) chain made unlawful donations to various county governments in violation of state and federal Medicaid laws. The scheme occurred under New Mexico’s supplemental Medicaid program, which primarily served rural and […]
February 16, 2015
Contractor Fraud
Under the federal False Claims Act, it is unlawful for individuals and businesses to submit claims for reimbursement or funding based on fraudulent, falsified, or exaggerated facts. If a company submits improper claims and evidence shows there was intent to defraud (as opposed to accidental fraud), the business may have […]
February 13, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
The Washington Attorney General’s Office lauded its 2015 recovery of $3.35 million on behalf of state taxpayers and the state Medicaid program. In today’s case, we explore a 2015 recovery involving the nearly decade-long overbilling scheme alleged to have been perpetrated by a Seattle-area dentists’ office regularly treating both pediatric […]
February 12, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
As we have explored in the past, many False Claims Act lawsuits end in a negotiated settlement between the relator/whistleblower, federal government, and defendants alleged to have committed fraudulent acts of misconduct against U.S. taxpayers. The terms of the settlement – which almost always include a clause disclaiming any liability […]
February 11, 2015
Military Contractor Fraud
The False Claims Act is one of the most successful federal statutes when it comes to recouping money lost due to wasteful fraud committed against the government and, as a result, the taxpayers. When it was enacted, soldiers and other participants in the U.S. Civil War were experiencing widespread fraud […]
February 10, 2015
SEC Fraud
In a victory for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the securities ratings firm Standard & Poor’s has agreed to settle claims it fraudulently certified certain mortgage-backed securities as good investments, as well as claims the firm used a certain methodology to calculate risk with regard to commercial mortgage-based securities when, […]
February 9, 2015
Mortgage Fraud
Over the last few posts, we have engaged in an in-depth look at a relatively rare issue involving confidentiality during the investigative stage of a False Claims Act whistleblower case. The case, known as United States ex rel. Bibby v. Wells Fargo, N.A., has garnered some national attention as the […]