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Five States Collect Payouts From DaVita Healthcare Partners Lawsuit Settlement

DaVita Healthcare Partners is one of the nation’s leading providers of dialysis services, with clinics in 46 states. DaVita agreed to one of the largest healthcare fraud settlements in fiscal year 2014 with regard to its alleged submission of false claims to programs like Medicare and Medicaid for reimbursement. As […]

Massachusetts Attorney General Settles False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Cleaning Company

The Massachusetts False Claims Act has proven time and time again to be a vital component in the war against fraud and wasteful misuse of taxpayer money. In other posts, we have discussed settlements with companies like Office Depot and an environmental cleanup outfit, both of which settled allegations of […]

2014 Proves to Be a Great Year for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Following in the footsteps of government agencies like the SEC and IRS, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) had an eventful fiscal year 2014, resulting in its first-ever whistleblower reward and a significant jump in complaints over fiscal year 2013. Much like the qui tam provisions of the False Claims […]

Using Confidential Patient Information to Support a Qui Tam Case: What’s Allowed?

Patient records are considered highly confidential and are protected from unlawful dissemination by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPPA”). However, in light of a healthcare fraud-based False Claims Act allegation, how do patient confidentiality laws intersect with the rights of plaintiffs to expose healthcare facilities alleged […]

Verizon to Pay $1.3 Million to Settle Allegations of Overcharging for Services

Contract fraud is one of the most common issues addressed by the False Claims Act, and it can be found in virtually any industry. In today’s case, we explore a recent settlement between Verizon New England, Inc. and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts involving overcharges for services pursuant to lucrative contracts […]

Courageous FIFA Whistleblower Takes on Massive World Cup Bidding Fraud

In a departure from our typical reports of domestic false claims and fraud, today’s post discusses the ongoing battle between courageous whistleblower Phaedra Almajid and her bid to expose massive fraud in the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup soccer games. The games, which are governed by […]

Countrywide Whistleblower Receives Mega-Reward of $57 Million

Under the False Claims Act’s qui tam provisions, individual private plaintiffs – who are often in a better position to report and relay the details of fraud against the government – can receive rewards of up to 30 percent of the total settlement or verdict obtained on behalf of U.S. […]

Stryker Pays $80 Million to Resolve Allegations of Healthcare Fraud

A subsidiary of the Stryker Corporation has agreed to pay $80 million after pleading guilty to marketing and selling certain knee replacement products without government approval. The OtisMed group, which manufacturers “cutting guides” used to achieve a perfect incision and implantation during knee replacements, has refused to admit any sort […]

University of California Davis Settles Grant Fraud Allegations

Federal grant money often comes with highly-specific conditions and requirements, including the promise to only spend the money on certain expenses related to a research or development project. Failure to adhere to the terms of a grant award will likely trigger possible liability under the False Claims Act, provided the […]

Supreme Foodservice Pays $434 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

In another military fraud case, Swiss-based Supreme Foodservice has agreed to pay a total of $434 million to the United States following allegations of fraud under the False Claims Act. The lawsuit was commenced after several employees raised concerns over the ownership structure of Supreme Foodservice, alleging it was using […]

A Historic Year: The 10 Most Stunning Healthcare Fraud Settlements of 2014, Pt. II

As we discussed in yesterday’s post, fiscal year 2014 was a historic one for the Department of Justice and the False Claims Act. With an overall recovery topping $5 billion – most of which is attributed to healthcare and mortgage fraud – the top ten healthcare fraud settlements involve astronomical […]

A Historic Year: 2014’s Top 10 Healthcare Fraud Settlements, Pt. I

Fiscal year 2014 has been a historic one for the False Claims Act. According to a recent announcement by the Department of Justice, this past year has seen the recovery of more taxpayer dollars than any other year – with over $2 billion recovered from healthcare fraud alone. Bank and […]