February 21, 2014
False Claims Act Legal News
When a whistleblower plaintiff sets out to pursue her claim, she should begin by discussing the facts with a whistleblower attorney. If the claim seems likely to be meritorious, the attorney will file a complaint setting forth the facts and how the facts meet required legal thresholds. These thresholds are […]
February 20, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
Teva Pharmaceuticals, an Israeli-based drug maker, is at the mercy of the U.S. Department of Justice after allegations of False Claims Act violations surfaced late last year. The company is highly-respected for its Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease drugs, but has unfortunately been met with a subpoena for records pertaining […]
February 19, 2014
SEC Fraud
Under the 2010 Dodd Frank Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission was tasked with organizing and implementing a whistleblower program similar to the False Claims Act – which has proven widely successful since its inception in the 1800’s. As a result, the SEC worked tirelessly to create its Office of […]
February 18, 2014
False Claims Act Legal News
In a recent False Claims Act case out of Texas, industrial guardrail manufacturer Trinity Industries, Inc. is facing significant liability stemming from allegations it secretly altered its production and design of guardrails along national highways, resulting in catastrophic injuries and death for entangled motorists. More specifically, this case highlights an […]
February 17, 2014
Customs Fraud
The False Claims Act covers a wide array of fraudulent activities. In a case against cell phone accessory maker OtterBox, the federal government alleged its parent company, Otter Products, LLC, shortchanged the government’s Internal Revenue Service with regard to taxes due on imports from China. Under the False Claims Act, […]
February 14, 2014
Military Contractor Fraud
The history of the False Claims Act is steeped in combatting wartime fraud. While exploiting the U.S. government and its troops during times of war is hardly a new concept, its application has changed over time as technologies advance. In a recent case involving the Army Corps of Engineers, one […]
February 13, 2014
Mortgage Fraud
JP Morgan, which is currently the largest U.S. banking entity in terms of assets, agreed earlier this week to settle claims under the False Claims Act involving fraudulent assertions that certain home loans were appropriate for government-backed mortgage insurance. The bank, which is no stranger to settling matters with the […]
February 12, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
We often report on the widespread epidemic of healthcare fraud within the United States, particularly occurring in conjunction with Medicare and Medicaid patients. These cases often involve healthcare facilities that engage in unethical kickback or referral schemes in order to increase profits and incentivize doctors to use a certain lab […]
February 11, 2014
Military Contractor Fraud
The United States government has opted to intervene in a controversial case involving several defense contractors. The case was originally filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act and, after an intense review, the government has stepped in and filed its own complaint. By intervening in this case, […]
February 10, 2014
Uncategorized
As we have reported in the past, many states maintain legislation on the books to combat false claims for state money, akin to the False Claims Act, which combats false claims for federal money. With regard to healthcare fraud, these cases often invoke both federal and state laws as programs […]
February 7, 2014
Environmental Fraud
The False Claims Act has proven useful in helping to promote honesty across several industries. While most often used within the healthcare fraud context, the FCA was recently employed against technology and energy giant GE Hitachi with regard to false statements and misrepresentations made pursuant to securing a grant from […]
February 6, 2014
Healthcare Fraud
For those who may be unfamiliar with the procedural jumpstart of a False Claims Act lawsuit, these cases are filed by an individual plaintiff who has firsthand, original knowledge of facts tending to suggest fraud. Plaintiffs are usually current or former employees, but can also be customers, clients, or patients […]