April 8, 2015
False Claims Act Legal News
In a recent False Claims Act settlement, a prominent insurance company has agreed to pay a staggering $44 million to the federal government to settle claims it unlawfully certified certain crop insurance policies as eligible for coverage by the United States Department of Agriculture. The settlement involves the Fireman’s Fund […]
April 7, 2015
Contractor Fraud
In a recent case involving Florida’s W.G. Mills, a prolific construction company, the government alleged that it unlawfully certified one of its subsidiaries as owned and operated by disabled veterans, thereby qualifying the company for contract jobs specifically set aside for these types of historically disadvantaged businesses. However, W.G. Mills’ attempt […]
April 6, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In a recent healthcare fraud settlement, Pennsylvania-based BioTelemetry and its subsidiary CardioNet have settled startling allegations involving the submission of claims for reimbursement to cover certain cardiac monitoring devices that were not eligible for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid guidelines. The company is one of two cardiac monitoring device companies […]
April 3, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
Following an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Office of Inspector General and the Department of Defense’s investigative unit, a Florida dermatology clinic known as Coastal Dermatology has opted to settle allegations of fraud and illegal billing procedures. The allegations – which are not […]
April 2, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In a press release issued by the Department of Justice on February 25, 2015, authorities revealed the details of alleged misconduct occurring within the national health management chain known as Agility Health, LLC and one of its local Michigan facilities known as Oceana County Medical Care Facility. The case was […]
April 1, 2015
Medicaid Fraud
According to the details of a recent settlement under the New York False Claims Act, the Mental Health Association is alleged to have made handwritten alterations to progress notes which were subsequently submitted to Medicaid officials pursuant to an official requested audit. The settlement, which amounted to $304,000, came about […]
March 31, 2015
General
In a recent environmental fraud settlement, British Petroleum (BP) has settled with the State of California for $7.9 million following allegations it double-billed for cleanup efforts after several of its Underground Storage Tanks (UST’s) began leaking. Under California law, a cleanup fund was established to help companies defray the cost […]
March 30, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In a rare turn of events, the Department of Justice has actually commended Michigan-based Portage Hospital, LLC after it opted to self-report various perceived violations of the False Claims Act by a member of its physical therapy staff. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement: “Portage Hospital is to […]
March 27, 2015
False Claims Act Legal News
The False Claims Act’s public disclosure bar prohibits any whistleblower from filing a claim if the facts of the claim are based on information that would be readily available to the public, regardless of whether the whistleblower actually knew about or reviewed the public information prior to initiating the lawsuit. […]
March 26, 2015
SEC Fraud
Implemented by the 2010 Dodd Frank Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) maintains a growing whistleblower program. Much like the False Claims Act, the SEC’s program is designed to offer confidential consideration of fraud claims, as well as incentives for successful prosecutions of costly and wasteful securities fraud. In […]
March 25, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
There are three laws in place to address the impropriety of doctor kickbacks: the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Stark Law. These are three pieces of federal legislation enacted to punish and deter intentional fraud involving taxpayer funds. In the context of healthcare fraud, the acts are […]
March 24, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In a recent False Claims Act settlement between Dr. Charles Denham and the federal government, officials have revealed details of an alleged kickback scheme involving Dr. Denham and the medical corporation known as CareFusion. The case was brought to light following an extensive whistleblower investigation by the Department of Health […]