Mortgage Fraud: HAMP and the False Claims Act

The Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”) is a federal program enacted to help eligible applicants with loan modifications on home mortgage debt. It was developed as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis, which began to devastate the financial market in 2008. HAMP is a foreclosure prevention program, providing loan […]

Mortgage Fraud: Beazer Homes Settles False Claims Act Suit

After being charged with fraudulent mortgage origination activities, a Georgia-based home builder and mortgage lender have agreed to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit. Beazer Homes USA Inc. and Beazer Mortgage Corporation have agreed to pay the government $5 million, plus contingent payments of up to $48 million. Headquartered in Atlanta, […]

Government Intervenes in Qui Tam Action Accusing New York Public Schools of Medicaid Fraud

The United States government recently joined a qui tam action filed against the New York City Department of Education (DOE). According to the allegations, the city’s DOE fraudulently billed Medicaid for multiple sessions of psychological counseling that were never provided to students. The DOE can submit monthly counseling claims for special needs students who […]

Understanding the Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Provisions

Both the government and whistleblowers alike have historically relied on the False Claims Act as a primary tool to end to fraud. It is important to understand, however, that the False Claims Act does have limitations. The largest one being that it only applies to instances in which the United […]

Lucent Technologies Opts to Settle False Claims Act Suit with US Government

The United States Department of Justice announced that a telecommunications provider has agreed to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit, resolving allegations that it submitted false and fraudulent documentation to the government. Lucent Technologies World Services Inc. (LTWSI), a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent, will pay $4.2 million to the government as […]