featured news

McKesson, Corp. Pays $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations it Falsely Certified Safe Vaccine Shipping Practices

Fraud by government contractors is one of the most common scenarios triggering liability under the False Claims Act. Beginning in the Civil War era, government contractors would routinely engage in misconduct by offering goods and services that fell far short of the requirements delineated in the contractual agreement. In today’s […]

Infirmary Health, Inc. Agrees to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

In a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice late last month, Mobile, Alabama-based Infirmary Health, Inc. has agreed to pay over $24 million to settle claims it engaged in unlawful kickback schemes and fraudulent conduct in violation of the False Claims Act. The allegations specifically address unlawful […]

Hewlett-Packard Settles Allegations of Overbilling the U.S. Postal Service

In a recent announcement by the Department of Justice, Hewlett-Packard has settled allegations it bilked the federal government out of millions of dollars during a ten-year contract for the provision of computer software and maintenance services. The computer giant agreed to remit a staggering $32.5 million to settle claims advanced […]

House of Representatives Oversight Committee Reviews False Claims Act, Pt. 3 – The Chamber of Commerce Takes a Turn

Over the past few days, we have examined a recent oversight committee hearing held by the U.S. House of Representatives through its Committee on Judiciary. Specifically, the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice elicited testimony from several experts in the field of ethics and whistleblower laws, including several opinions […]

False Claims Act Oversight Hearing Part 2: Proponents Shed Light on Benefits of Incentivizing Whistleblowers

In yesterday’s post, we discussed the recent oversight hearing conducted by the U.S. House of Representatives through its Committee on Judiciary. The hearing, which took place at the end of July, was called in order to address the effectiveness of the False Claims Act, areas ripe for improvement, and issues […]

Congress Takes Testimony on Effectiveness of False Claims Act: Chairman Discusses Major Issues

Late last month, Congress convened a panel of experts in its first False Claims Act oversight hearing in nearly six years. The purpose of the hearing, which was called by the Committee on Judiciary through its Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, was to enlist the opinions of several […]

Vascular Solutions to Pay $520,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

In a recent False Claims Act settlement, Minneapolis-based Vascular Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) has agreed to pay $520,000 to the federal government in order to settle claims it unlawfully marketed its products for the treatment of varicose veins. The company, which has admitted no liability or guilt in the matter, agreed […]

Connecticut High Court to Rule on Pivotal Matters Relating to Whistleblower Retaliation

As you likely know, federal whistleblower laws are designed to protect relators from backlash or adverse employment decisions based solely on the whistleblower’s decision to come forward. Known as anti-retaliation laws, employees who opt to file a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act may also advance a separate cause […]

UPDATE: Judge Declares Mistrial in Trinity Guardrail Case

As we recently reported, government contractor Trinity, Inc. began its trial before a federal District Court judge earlier this month. The case involves extensive allegations of fraudulently modified designs for highway guardrail systems, as well as extensive possible liability under the False Claims Act. In a shocking turn of events, […]

Several Government Contractors Submit Briefs to Supreme Court in Support of FCA Limitations

The False Claims Act has proven to be a steadfast and consistent deterrent of fraudulent behavior by government contractors and those in direct business with government agencies and entities (e.g., healthcare providers). Under the tenets of the FCA, anyone caught submitting false claims for payments could face treble damages, as […]

Frequently Asked Questions About Working With a Whistleblower Attorney

If you are aware of ongoing fraud against the federal government, you are likely feeling uneasy and anxious about the information you are holding. Upon the occurrence of any type of government fraud, whether it is against the IRS, SEC, or any other government agency, your best first step is […]

Overview of the Internal Revenue Service Whistleblower Program

The False Claims Act, which was enacted in the 1800s, has proven so wildly successful over the years that several other federal agencies and state governments opted to enact similar legislation. One such program, implemented by the IRS, is designed to help curtail the effects of tax fraud and evasion, […]