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Office Depot Agrees to Pay $475,000 to Settle False Claims Act Charge

The majority of U.S. states maintain a legislative tool for combatting fraud similar to the federal False Claims Act. State False Claims Acts may be nearly identical to the federal version, or they may contain more restrictive language. In New York, the state False Claims Act was recently pivotal in […]

DOJ Unseals False Claims Act Complaint Alleging Mortgage Loan Fraud by OneWest Bank

The Department of Justice recently unsealed a False Claims Act lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York alleging nine-figure fraud against the federal government pursuant to its Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The program, which was implemented in 2009 to help struggling borrowers keep their homes, requires certain […]

St. Jude’s Medical, Inc. Under Investigation by DOJ for Possible False Claims Act Violations

Costly fraud against the U.S. government can occur in virtually any sector; however, it is being discovered within the medical and healthcare sector with increasing consistency. In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, St. Jude’s Medical, Inc., a global medical device manufacturer, has revealed it is under […]

U.S. Government Intervenes in Power Wheelchair False Claims Case Against Orbit Medical Inc.

Power wheelchair claims are one of the most costly medical device codes submitted to Medicare and Medicaid each year. So much so, that the Office of Inspector General conducted a study in 2001 to determine whether these chairs are actually “medically necessary” in most cases and, if so, whether a […]

Bringing the HEAT – Joint Task Force Invaluable in Fight Against Healthcare Fraud

In 2012 alone, the False Claims Act (“FCA”) was responsible for recovering over $2 billion stolen through healthcare fraud, Medicare scams, and unlawful billing practices. Ending healthcare fraud has been a non-stop pursuit over the past several years due to the implementation of several programs and task forces aimed at […]

Shareholders allege that Detour Gold Corporation made Misrepresentations

Morganti Legal, P.C., (May 12, 2014) announces that investors have filed a shareholder lawsuit against Detour Gold Corporation (“Detour Gold” or the “Company”) (TSX: “DGC”) for publishing press releases containing alleged misrepresentations and failing to disclose Material Facts about its business operations between April 9, 2013 and November 7, 2013. […]

Jacksonville Hospital Baptist Health Settles False Claims Act Lawsuit for $2.5 Million

Jacksonville-area hospital Baptist Health, through its parent company, has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit alleging healthcare fraud. The hospital is accused of having unlawfully exploited Medicare and Medicaid funds by billing the government for services not rendered or for services rendered that were not medically […]

Tennessee Substance Abuse Facility New Life Lodge Settles Allegations of Medicaid Fraud

In a recent settlement out of Tennessee, California-based CRC Health Group, Inc. has agreed to pay $9.25 million to settle allegations of Medicaid fraud involving one of its addiction treatment centers located in the city of Burns. The settlement is the result of a joint investigation by the Tennessee Attorney […]

Doctor Settles Allegations of Performing Unnecessary Nasal Surgery on Pediatric Medicaid Patients

In yet another healthcare fraud case, an Oklahoma-based hospital, its parent company Health Management Associates, and Dr. Daniel Castro have agreed to settle a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the federal False Claims Act and its Oklahoma counterpart. According to the allegations found in the complaint, the medical professionals involved were […]

Hope Center Institute Submits False Claims to Federal Government, Settles for $2.9 Million

The Kansas-based cancer center known as Hope Cancer Institute and one of its physicians recently settled with the U.S. government over allegations of fraudulent billing practices. In the healthcare industry alone, the False Claims Act has been pivotal in recovering billions of dollars on behalf of American taxpayers. In fact, […]

Federal Circuit Courts Split on Pivotal “First to File” Issue

The False Claims Act is a piece of federal legislation. Therefore, lawsuits arising under its provisions are settled by the federal District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts. While FCA Supreme Court precedent is continuing to emerge each year, District and Circuit courts are regularly faced with issues directly impacting whistleblowers and […]

Pharmacy Company Astellas to Pay $7.3 Million in False Claims Act Settlement

The Department of Justice, in concert with several states’ attorneys general, recently announced a settlement against Astellas Pharma U.S., Inc., based in Northbrook, Illinois. The case involved substantial allegations of off-label marketing practices aimed at pediatric federal healthcare patients. As you well know, it is considered a violation of the […]