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False Claims Act Defendant Blames Law Firm for Bad Advice Regarding Medical Supplies Contract with U.S. Army

The commission of fraud against the U.S. military is, quite literally, the oldest trick in the False Claims Act book. This sort of misconduct gave rise to the implementation of the False Claims Act during the Civil War and continues to present itself as an issue in need of elimination. […]

Recently-Unsealed Healthcare Fraud Case Reveals Whistleblowers Not Always Former Employee; Competitor Files Suit

It is often believed that in order to satisfy the False Claims Act’s “original source” requirement, one must be a former employee, patient, or colleague of the alleged fraudulent party. However, as today’s case illustrates, a whistleblower can be anyone – including a competitor. In a case unsealed late March […]

Whistleblowers Fight for Portion of Settlement Despite Possible Statute of Limitations Defense

Two courageous whistleblowers are taking their fight for a qui tam reward all the way to the United States Supreme Court, asserting the government would have never recovered the $36 million it received from Houston-area doctors Dr. Arun Sharma and Dr. Kiran Sharma but for their information and participation in […]

Recently-Released Data Portrays Alarming Physician Reimbursement Rate Under Medicare Part B

Early last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services publicly released their data pertaining to reimbursement amounts provided to physicians under the Medicare Part B program – and many industry officials are not too happy about the numbers. According to the Inspector General of the Department of Health and […]

Hospice Center Home Health Care, Inc. Faces Massive Liability Under False Claims Act

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice filed its complaint in a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud case perpetuated by now-defunct Home Care Hospice, Inc. – an organization also facing significant criminal penalties and fines for its role in siphoning large sums of money away from Medicare patients in need of […]

Massachusetts Attorney General Alleges False Claims Against Contractor Universal Drywall

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office recently commenced a lawsuit under the Commonwealth’s False Claims Act against general contractor Universal Drywall, LLC. The lawsuit alleges that the defendant engaged in unfair tactics in bidding on government jobs, resulting in fraudulent claims for reimbursement. The case represents a unique perspective on the […]

AIG Alleged to Have Lied During Government Bailout Negotiations; False Claims Act Lawsuit Unsealed

American International Group, Inc., known as AIG, is facing a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging it failed to properly reveal certain licensing insufficiencies during 2008 bailout negotiations with the federal government. A whistleblower lawsuit, filed in 2009, was recently unsealed following the government’s decision not to intervene. The relator in […]

Delaware Court Unseals Qui Tam Case Alleging False Claims About Unused Gift Cards

In a recently-unsealed whistleblower lawsuit initiated under the laws of Delaware, dozens of companies organized under Delaware law are facing possible exposure to liability for failing to escheat the value of unclaimed gift cards to the State. Escheat is a term referring to the legal requirement imposed by Delaware’s unclaimed […]

Kentucky-based King’s Daughters Medical Center Settles False Claims Act Allegations With $41 Million Payout

In a landslide victory for taxpayers, a Kentucky hospital found dabbling in expansive and costly healthcare fraud has agreed to pay $41 million to settle the allegations. According to reports, King’s Daughters Medical Center, located in Ashland, Kentucky, was engaging in the frightening practice of ordering and performing unnecessary heart […]

District Court Judge Refuses to Dismiss False Claims Act Claim Against Military Contractor

Just last month, a federal District Court in Louisiana declined a dismissal attempt by Masonry Solutions International, LLC in an ongoing False Claims Act case alleging fraud under a contract with the Army. The defendant’s motion hinged on a civil procedure technicality which the court described as “excusable neglect” and permitted […]

Device Maker Medtronic, Inc. Agrees to Pay $9.9 Million to Settle False Claims Act Violations

Medical device maker Medtronic, Inc. recently settled a case under the False Claims Act alleging unlawful monetary kickbacks for physicians willing to implant its products in their cardiac patients. Unlawful kickback schemes are one of the most common scenarios triggering liability under the FCA and the federal government has worked […]

Tennessee-Based First Call Ambulance Services to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for $500,000

In a recent case out of the Middle District of Tennessee, ambulance provider First Call Ambulance Service has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle several claims of Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The case was commenced by an undisclosed whistleblower who will share in up to 30 percent of the settlement […]