By Steve Kardell | Published August 2, 2022 | Posted in Fraud, Graft and Corruption, Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged Tags: Department of Justice, False Claims Act, Medicare Fraud |
Department of Justice Announces Pair of False Claims Act Settlements
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced two settlements of qui tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act, which allows private individuals to file lawsuits on behalf of the government when they become aware of fraud committed by companies or individuals. Here’s a brief overview of these settlements. Healthkeeperz, Inc. Healthkeeperz, Inc., a behavioral healthcare Read More
Read MoreThe CFTC is Accepting Claims for Whistleblower Awards in a $16 Million Case Involving Kraft Foods
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a Notice of Covered Action (NCA) on May 18 for action taken against Kraft Foods Group, Inc. and Mondelez Global LLC. The companies are charged with manipulating the market, specifically with regard to prices of cash wheat and wheat futures. With the NCA issued, whistleblowers are able Read More
Read MoreTelecom Will Pay $13.4 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
TracFone Wireless Inc., a Miami-based telecommunications carrier, will pay $13.4 million to settle allegations of False Claims Act violations. The case was originally brought by a whistleblower, Farrell Gordon, who will receive $462,500 in compensation for his services in bringing the case forward. Whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases are eligible to receive 15 to Read More
Read MoreSEC Issues $14 Million Whistleblower Award
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued a $14 million award to a whistleblower who published an online report that exposed ongoing fraud. That whistleblower shared the same information days later with the SEC. They were proactive in reaching out to the staff and assisting the commission in opening an investigation that resulted Read More
Read MoreFederal Government Files Lawsuit Against Doctor for False Claims Act Violations
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania recently announced it initiated a lawsuit against family medical doctor Peter J. Baddick, III over allegations of medically unnecessary prescriptions for Subsys, a fentanyl-based spray used for cancer pain. Case background In the complaint, the federal government alleges Dr. Baddick violated the False Claims Act Read More
Read More2021 Was a Massive Year for False Claims Act Settlements
The U.S. Department of Justice recently revealed that 2021 was a major year for False Claims Act settlements and judgments. According to the DOJ, the federal government took in more than $5.6 billion in settlements and judgments, the largest since 2014 and the second-largest amount ever recorded. This number includes the gigantic $2.8 billion Purdue Read More
Read MoreSurgical Company, Physician Settle Whistleblower Lawsuit for $3 Million
A recent lawsuit against a Georgia surgical company and the physician who owns it resulted in a $3 million lawsuit. The False Claims Act case was filed against Dr. Jeffrey Gallups and his company, Milton Hall Surgical Associates. A former staff doctor blew the whistle on alleged fraudulent practices, including ordering unnecessary tests for patients Read More
Read MoreThe Most Common Methods Companies Use to “Cook the Books”
Whistleblowers often are workers at companies who become aware of their company’s inappropriate or fraudulent practices. They might attempt to report their concerns internally only to be rebuffed and be forced to make their reports at a higher level. Here are a few examples of some of the behaviors by companies that are most likely Read More
Read MoreMallinckrodt Must Pay $234 MIllion to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit Brought by Former Employee
The federal government, in conjunction with individual states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, recently settled a False Claims Act lawsuit against Mallinckrodt PLC, a pharmaceuticals company. The lawsuit alleged Mallinckrodt regularly and knowingly underpaid Medicaid rebates for one of its products, Acthar. As a result of the action, the company must pay nearly Read More
Read MoreOrthopedic Surgeon Must Pay $343,000 to Settle Allegations of False Claims Act Violations
Dr. Mark Stephen Wilson, an orthopedic surgeon based in Oklahoma, will pay the federal government nearly $343,000 to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations. According to the Department of Justice, Wilson accepted illegal kickback payments from Brookhaven Specialty Pharmacy LLC. Case background DOJ attorneys stated Wilson knowingly accepted payments from Brookhaven Specialty Pharmacy from Read More
Read More
