April 17, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
In terms of the federal False Claims Act (“FCA”), healthcare fraud ranks as one of the most commonly prosecuted crimes. In fact, the FCA has been effective in recovering billions of dollars on behalf of taxpayers from dishonest hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies. If you suspect healthcare fraud, you may […]
April 16, 2014
Contractor Fraud
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency tasked with, among other things, assisting in the creation and maintenance of small and minority-owned businesses. Under its Section 8(a) Business Development Program, interested applicants can submit their business plan and, if eligible, receive financial assistance for their venture. The program […]
April 15, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
In its latest efforts to combat Medicare fraud, the Department of Justice recently announced a $1.2 million settlement with an Alabama-based walk-in clinic. American Family Care, Inc. has agreed to the settlement after allegations of upcoding and fraudulent invoice practices surfaced when a whistleblower filed a qui tam lawsuit against […]
April 14, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
The world-renowned Duke University School of Medicine operates out of three area hospitals owned by the Duke University Health System. According to a recently-unsealed False Claims Act filing in the federal District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina, several of its billing practices allegedly violated the FCA and […]
April 11, 2014
False Claims Act Legal News
Serving as a whistleblower in a case involving government, securities, commodities, or tax fraud takes perseverance, courage, and patience. Many of these cases take years to resolve and involve high-pressure federal investigations into billion-dollars industries plagued by scandal and fraud. If you are considering a whistleblower lawsuit but are fearful […]
April 10, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
In a recent press release, the Department of Justice applauds the concerted efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services with the FBI in identifying and investigating allegations of billing fraud spanning nearly six years. According to allegations, Texas-based Valley Heart Consultants was engaging in the practice of performing […]
April 9, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
Late last year, the federal Department of Justice settled a long-running dispute with drug maker Johnson & Johnson over allegations of the off-label marketing of the anti-psychotic drug Risperdal. As is often the case, Johnson & Johnson also faced several state False Claims Act and Deceptive Trade Practices Act allegations, […]
April 8, 2014
False Claims Act Legal News
In today’s case, we explore a unique False Claims Act settlement alleging unlawful collaboration between several competitors in the maritime shipping business. Specifically, a qui tam lawsuit alleges a private business relationship between two cargo companies for purposes of driving up bids for work with both the U.S. Postal Service […]
April 7, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
Memorial Hospital, located in Fremont, Ohio, is a non-profit organization allegedly involved in improper billing practices for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid patients. It has also recently resolved allegations under the Stark Law involving unlawful financial relationships with other entities in the medical field. All in all, Memorial has […]
April 4, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
In a case involving Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, LLC, the Department of Justice recently settled hundreds of allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud relating to the improper recommendation of the generic drug clozapine – considered a drug of last resort for the treatment of schizophrenia. According to allegations, Teva, through its […]
April 3, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
In a recent settlement involving the False Claims Act’s anti-kickback provisions and the federal Stark Law, Pittsburgh’s West Penn Allegheny Health System has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle claims it engaged in an unlawful exchange of benefits with Pittsburgh-area doctors and facilities. The case was handled by the […]
April 2, 2014
SEC Fraud
In 2010, the Dodd Frank Act was enacted to further financial reform and bring about greater integrity from those working on Wall Street. One of the hallmark features of the Act involves the implementation of a whistleblower program designed to incentivize those with original information about securities fraud to come […]