Drone Manufacturer Composite Engineering, Inc. Settles False Claims Act Allegations

The False Claims Act is one of the most successful federal statutes when it comes to recouping money lost due to wasteful fraud committed against the government and, as a result, the taxpayers. When it was enacted, soldiers and other participants in the U.S. Civil War were experiencing widespread fraud […]

Court’s Analysis Spells Victory for Bibby Relators Following Contested False Claims Act Reward

Over the last few posts, we have engaged in an in-depth look at a relatively rare issue involving confidentiality during the investigative stage of a False Claims Act whistleblower case. The case, known as United States ex rel. Bibby v. Wells Fargo, N.A., has garnered some national attention as the […]

Exploring the Bibby Case: Where Did the Relators Go Wrong?

As we discussed in yesterday’s post, the Eleventh Circuit recently handed down a ruling in a case of first impression: What sort of punishment should a relator face for breaching confidentiality rules during the investigative stage of a whistleblower action? We reviewed the rules of filing under seal and why […]

St. Helena Hospital Settles Medicare Fraud Allegations for $2.25 Million

According to a recent press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, a California-area hospital has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle claims it unlawfully submitted false claims to the government for reimbursement on behalf of Medicare patients. Like many healthcare claims, the allegations against St. Helena Hospital involve […]

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 […]