May 28, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
As we discussed recently, the federal government has implemented several important measures to combat the rampant healthcare fraud plaguing American taxpayers. One such program, known as the H.E.A.T. Task Force, is administered jointly by the U.S. Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As an […]
May 27, 2014
Contractor Fraud
In a complaint unsealed on May 1st, the former superintendent of the Alcova Reservoir — located in Natrona County, Wyoming – has alleged fraud and misconduct on the part of the Natrona County Road and Bridge Department. While the U.S. government has declined to intervene in the case, the whistleblower […]
May 26, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
As we have discussed in the past, the federal Stark Law often intersects with the False Claims Act. In a recent case out of Florida, All Children’s Health System (ACHS) has agreed to remit $7 million to both the state and federal governments following allegations of Stark Law violations and […]
May 23, 2014
Mortgage Fraud
In a recent case out of California, mortgage lender Reunion Mortgage, Inc. and its former affiliates have agreed to pay $1.04 million to settle allegations of False Claims Act violations. The case originated pursuant to an investigation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Civil Fraud Division and resulted […]
May 22, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
A recent settlement under the False Claims Act reveals a startling and unlawful financial relationship between New Jersey’s Somerset Hospital and the nearby cardiology clinic Medicor Cardiology. The whistleblower complaint was filed by two hospital employees who reported the illicit payments occurred between 2009 and 2013. The final settlement amount […]
May 21, 2014
False Claims Act Legal News
Late last month, several clothing manufacturers agreed to settle claims with the federal government following allegations of intentional undervaluing of goods to avoid tariffs at the border. The lawsuit arose pursuant to a False Claims Act whistleblower complaint filed over four years ago by a relator, who works as a […]
May 20, 2014
False Claims Act Legal News
If you are considering a whistleblower lawsuit, you may be unsure how the process will work, whether you have enough information to get started, and with whom you should discuss your case. These feelings of apprehension or uncertainty are common in the realm of qui tam lawsuits, as these cases […]
May 19, 2014
Contractor Fraud
The majority of U.S. states maintain a legislative tool for combatting fraud similar to the federal False Claims Act. State False Claims Acts may be nearly identical to the federal version, or they may contain more restrictive language. In New York, the state False Claims Act was recently pivotal in […]
May 16, 2014
Mortgage Fraud
The Department of Justice recently unsealed a False Claims Act lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York alleging nine-figure fraud against the federal government pursuant to its Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The program, which was implemented in 2009 to help struggling borrowers keep their homes, requires certain […]
May 15, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
Costly fraud against the U.S. government can occur in virtually any sector; however, it is being discovered within the medical and healthcare sector with increasing consistency. In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, St. Jude’s Medical, Inc., a global medical device manufacturer, has revealed it is under […]
May 14, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
Power wheelchair claims are one of the most costly medical device codes submitted to Medicare and Medicaid each year. So much so, that the Office of Inspector General conducted a study in 2001 to determine whether these chairs are actually “medically necessary” in most cases and, if so, whether a […]
May 13, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
In 2012 alone, the False Claims Act (“FCA”) was responsible for recovering over $2 billion stolen through healthcare fraud, Medicare scams, and unlawful billing practices. Ending healthcare fraud has been a non-stop pursuit over the past several years due to the implementation of several programs and task forces aimed at […]