barrett-johnston

United States v. Arriva Medical, LLC, et al.

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 00:14:38 GMT

Our firm represented a whistleblower who filed a False Claims Act case alleging that the Medicare program has been defrauded through an illegal kickback scheme by Arriva Medical, LLC. Specifically, the complaint alleged that Arriva waived co-pay obligations and offered “free” home blood glucose monitors in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to the lawsuit, Arriva submitted false claims to the Medicare program that were tainted by this kickback scheme.

Arriva was at one time the country’s largest supplier of mail order diabetic testing supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. But the company is now defunct, after having its Medicare supplier number revoked in 2016 once the government uncovered, as part of this investigation, that the company had billed Medicare for deceased beneficiaries.

This $160 million settlement is the largest False Claims Act recovery ever in the Middle District of Tennessee.

The lawsuit was filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. To read more about our whistleblower practice group, click here.

Attorneys Involved

Collective Action Lawsuit Filed Against Downtown Sporting Club in Nashville to Recover Wages Owed to Servers and Bartenders

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 13:13:36 GMT

Our firm, Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, PLLC has filed a lawsuit against Nashville’s Downtown Sporting Club – a restaurant and bar owned by Strategic Hospitality – for failing to pay its servers and bartenders in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The complaint can be found here . The lawsuit alleges that Downtown Sporting Club’s servers and bartenders were required to share their tips with employees who did not earn those tips, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The lawsuit was filed as a collective action lawsuit on behalf of servers and bartenders who worked for the Downtown Sporting Club any time in the last three years. The lawsuit seeks unpaid wages, including overtime wages, and liquidated damages.

If you have worked as a server or bartender for the Downtown Sporting Club in the last three years and were required to share your tips with fellow workers who did not earn those tips, you may be eligible to participate in this case to recover wages owed to you. You may call our office at 615-244-2202 to learn more about this case. All calls are free and confidential.

To learn more about our Wage & Overtime practice, click here. Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee, but we represent workers all around the country.

Justice Department Recovers Over $3 Billion from False Claims Act Cases in 2019 and Whistleblowers Receive $265 Million in Rewards

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 13:12:52 GMT

According to the Department of Justice’s year-end report, the Department recovered more than $3 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the United States in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019.

As in prior years, the vast majority of these recovered funds are attributable to whistleblower lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the federal False Claims Act . Of the more than $3 billion recovered by the United States, approximately $2.1 billion is the result of qui tam lawsuits brought by whistleblowers. Whistleblower also filed 633 qui tam suits in fiscal year 2019 – an average of more than 12 new cases every week.

Under the False Claims Act, successful whistleblowers are entitled to a share of any recovery by the United States, and in 2019, whistleblowers received a total of $265 million in relator share payments from the United States.

The vast majority of the funds recovered involved fraud in the health care industry (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare)—which includes drug and medical device manufacturers, hospitals, pharmacies, hospice organizations and physicians.

To read the DOJ’s press release, click here.

To learn more about our Whistleblower & Qui Tam practice click here . Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee but we represent whistleblowers all around the country. Call us today at (615) 244-2202.

What Workers Should Know About Their Rights During The Coronavirus Pandemic

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 13:10:25 GMT

As the scale of the coronavirus crisis has become clearer, companies in the U.S. have been taking dramatic steps that impact their workers. These companies have lawyers in their corner. Too often, workers—who are the most vulnerable during this crisis—do not. At Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, we believe workers deserve the same level of guidance about their legal rights as the companies that employ them. Here are some of the rights you have during this difficult and uncertain time:

Proper pay for all of the time you work
Paid and unpaid leave related to coronavirus
Reasonable work accommodations, including working from home, if you are at high risk for coronavirus exposure

PAY FOR ALL OF THE TIME YOU SPEND WORKING

During the coronavirus pandemic, many companies have not paid their employees properly. Some examples include:

Laying off workers without paying their final paychecks: As some businesses close during the pandemic, they are failing to pay workers for the work they have already performed. If you have performed work, you are entitled to be paid for it.
Requiring workers to work even longer hours without proper overtime pay: In many industries, workers have begun to work even longer hours than before. For example, healthcare workers, grocery store staff, warehouse pickers, and delivery drivers have worked long hours since the crisis begin. If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you must be paid time-and-a-half for the hours over 40.
Making employees work from home, but not paying them for all work time: Other businesses have switched to work from home or remote work. If you are working from home, you are still entitled to be paid for all of the time you spend working each day. For example, just because you are at home, your employer cannot begin to dock your pay for your normal 10 or 15-minute paid breaks or for ordinary bathroom breaks. Whether you are at home or in the office, your employer has to pay you for all of your work time.

If you believe you have not been paid properly, we are here to help 7 days a week. For a free and confidential consultation call us at (615) 744-9379 or email us at info@barrettjohnston.com.

PAID AND UNPAID LEAVE

Family and Medical Leave Act Continues to Provide Unpaid Leave: The Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) has always provided many workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year when they suffer from a serious health condition or when they must care for family. For more information on FMLA rights, here is a helpful fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Benefits: For many workers, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) expands the FMLA rights above and provides paid sick live. The FFCRA provisions are effective on April 1, 2020, and apply to leave taken between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. But how does FFCRA expand workers’ rights?
(1) Paid Sick Leave. First, FFCRA contains the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. This provides two weeks of paid sick leave for employees of covered employers when certain coronavirus-related conditions require the employee to take off work.
(2) Expanded FMLA Rights including Paid FMLA Leave. Second, FFCRA contains the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act. This provides an additional ten weeks of paid leave for employees of covered employers when certain conditions are met. Specifically, some employees are eligible for paid FMLA leave when caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or childcare provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.

For more information on how FFCRA expands workers’ rights to paid leave, here is a helpful poster from the U.S. Department of Labor.

If your employer has denied you leave or retaliated against you in any way for seeking leave, we are here to help 7 days a week. For a free and confidential consultation call us at (615) 744-9379 or email us at info@barrettjohnston.com.

REASONABLE WORK ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WORKERS AT HIGH RISK OF CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), employers must make reasonable accommodations for certain workers with disabilities. Workers with underlying medical conditions that place you at greater risk of coronavirus infection (for example, asthma, compromised immune systems, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, etc.) may qualify for reasonable accommodations under the ADA. One accommodation some employers can make is allowing work from home where possible. You must make a request for an accommodation if you need one.

For more information on how work from home can serve as an ADA accommodation, here is a helpful fact sheet from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

If your employer has denied a request for a reasonable accommodation, we are here to help 7 days a week. For a free and confidential consultation call us at (615) 744-9379 or email us at info@barrettjohnston.com.

Servers in Kentucky – If You Have to Share Your Tips, You May Have a Legal Claim

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 12:59:45 GMT

Attention Servers in Kentucky: Have you been required by your employer to share your tips with your co-workers? Kentucky law strictly prohibits mandatory tip pooling. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for servers whose rights have been violated under federal and state wage laws. Please call us at (615) 244-2202 or send us a direct message.

Attorney Dave Garrison specializes in wage and hour collective and class action lawsuits. To read more about our wage and overtime practice, click here.

Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, LLC is based in Nashville, Tennessee, but represents workers all around the country.

Common Wage Violations Impacting Servers and Bartenders – Know Your Rights

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 12:45:56 GMT

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – the federal law setting minimum wage and overtime requirements – restaurants, bars, and other businesses that employ tipped workers, are permitted to pay their tipped employees less than the federal $7.25 per hour minimum wage as long as they follow certain rules. If a business does not follow these rules, then it owes its tipped employees the full minimum wage.

Two rules businesses must follow, but often break are:

Businesses must pay those employees at least $2.13 per hour, and the employees must earn enough tips to add up to the full $7.25 per hour minimum wage. In other words, their total tips must work out to at least $5.12 per hour.
If the businesses require employees to share tips with other employees, then those tips can only be shared with other employees who “customarily and regularly receive tips.” In other words, tips can only be shared with other employees who earn tips and interact directly with customers. The business and its managers are never allowed to keep any part of tipped employees tips.

Some of the ways businesses violate these rules are:

Requiring servers or bartenders to share tips with employees who never interact with customers, like dishwashers, cooks, expediters, bar-backs, etc.
Keeping part of the tips for the business or its managers.
Deducting money from tipped employees’ pay for uniforms, broken dishes, cash register shortages, and unpaid customer meals and bar tabs.
Not paying additional wages when the tips earned are not enough to make up the difference between the lower tipped hourly rate and the full $7.25 per hour minimum wage.

These are just some of the ways businesses can ignore the rules to take advantage of some of their hardest working, but frequently lowest paid, employees. The U.S. Department of Labor has additional helpful information here .

These unlawful practices can cost tipped employees hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For example, in one such case against a Red Robin franchisee in Pennsylvania, where the tipped workers alleged they were required to share tips with cooks, dishwashers, and janitors, the parties ultimately reached a $1.3 Million settlement. Ford, et al. v. Lehigh Valley Rest. Group, Inc., No. 3:14-cv-227-JMM (M.D. Pa.).

We represent tipped employees who have been the victims of unlawful practices like these. Check out the coverage of one of our recent case on behalf of servers and bartenders at Nashville’s Downtown Sporting Club:

If you are a tipped employee and believe you have not been properly paid, please call our office at (615) 244-2202 for a free and confidential consultation.

United States v. Community Health Systems, Inc.

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:26:23 GMT

Our firm represented a doctor and two nurses who filed a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging that Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS) engaged in a systematic scheme to improperly increase the inpatient admission of individuals who sought care in CHS hospital emergency rooms.

After more than three years of working with the government to build its False Claims Act case, the parties settled this case as part of a global resolution resulting in the return of more than $97 million to the federal and state governments and the implementation of a Corporate Integrity Agreement to prevent future misconduct. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee noted in its press release announcing the settlement that this was the largest False Claims Act settlement in the history of the Middle District of Tennessee.

In Doghramji, the firm and our clients worked hand-in-hand with the government, building its case to prove that CHS had violated the law by falsely billing Medicare and other government healthcare programs by millions of dollars. Our lawyers and clients analyzed documents, prepared government investigators and attorneys for interviews and depositions, and helped build the model that led to the settlement of the case.

The result: a record-breaking settlement for the government, and a fair and just recovery for our clients.

To learn more about our Whistleblower practice area, click here .

Attorneys Involved

Schuh v. HCA Holdings Inc.

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:41:39 GMT

In 2011, our firm, along with lead counsel Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, commenced this action alleging that Defendant HCA violated Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 by omitting material adverse facts about its cardiovascular business during HCA’s March 9, 2011 initial public offering. The case involved numerous complex legal facets including an issue of first impression regarding the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-K Item 303 and the required proof under this regulation.

This $215 million settlement was, by any measure, extraordinary. Our damage models suggested that this result was over 15 times higher than the average percentage recovery compared to other securities class actions. Additionally, the $215 million settlement was a record-breaking amount, by tens of millions of dollars, over any previous securities class action recovery in the Middle District of Tennessee.

This case also has special meaning to our firm. Our founding partner, George Barrett, made his last court appearance in this case prior to his untimely death. George would have been extraordinarily proud of this result obtained on behalf of the shareholders. Our lawyers continue to strive to honor George’s legacy by passionately pursuing justice on behalf of the underdog through hard work, creativity, and determination.

To learn more about our Securities Class Action practice group, click here .

Attorneys Involved

Noel v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 00:43:26 GMT

Our firm represented over 900 Metro Nashville correctional officers in a combined Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) collective action and Rule 23 unjust enrichment class action. After more than four years of litigation, culminating in a successful jury trial on the class action claims, our firm secured a $2.1 million settlement for the class.

Correctional officers filed the case in May 2011 when they realized that their pay stubs did not add up. After meeting with our firm, the correctional officers chose to band together and protect their rights to be paid fairly and lawfully. In this case, we alleged that Metro Nashville had violated the workers’ rights in two ways. First, they were paid at lower hourly rates than those that had been set by the Mayor and Metro Council in the Metro Pay Plan. Second, the correctional officers were required to work beyond their scheduled paid shifts without pay.

After a weeklong trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the correctional officers, finding that Metro had been unjustly enriched. After trial, our firm successfully negotiated a $2.1 million recovery for the class, a record for Metro Nashville settlements according to the Tennessean .

To learn more about our Labor & Employment practice group, click here .

Attorneys Involved

Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, PLLC Announces Record Breaking $160 Million Settlement

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:41:34 GMT

Jerry Martin, a partner at Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, PLLC announced today that the Department of Justice has reached a $160 million settlement with Alere Inc., and its subsidiary Arriva Medical, LLC arising from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by the firm on behalf of its client, Greg Goodman. The lawsuit was filed 8 years ago and alleged that the Medicare program had been defrauded through an illegal kickback scheme by Arriva. Specifically, the complaint alleged that Arriva waived co-pay obligations and offered “free” home blood glucose monitors in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to the lawsuit, Arriva submitted false claims to the Medicare program that were tainted by this kickback scheme.

“This has been a true David versus Goliath story,” said Jerry Martin, who represented the whistleblower in this action. “Mr. Goodman was not a high-ranking executive; he worked at an Arriva call center. But he saw evidence of a major kickback scheme unfolding, and the False Claims Act gave him a tool to bring that scheme to the Government’s attention, and to ultimately help the Government recover $160 million in taxpayer money.” Mr. Martin’s colleague, Seth Hyatt added, “This case is a perfect example of the type of public-private partnership that the False Claims Act was meant to promote. We are grateful to the Department of Justice for their tireless work on this matter and for the incredible results achieved.”

Mr. Martin served as a presidentially appointed United States Attorney from 2010 through 2013 in the Middle District of Tennessee. During his tenure, he was a leader in the federal government’s efforts to fight healthcare fraud. Today he represents individuals who wish to come forward and expose fraud and corruption.

To read the press release, click here.

Whistleblower Roundup – May 5th, 2021

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Wed, 05 May 2021 11:50:33 GMT

A look back at the week’s news andxx developments affecting whistleblowers.

SEC Awards Over $50 Million to Joint Whistleblowers

This week the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced an award of over $50 million to joint whistleblowers whose information alerted SEC staff to violations involving highly complex transactions that would otherwise have been very difficult to uncover. “Today’s award is the second largest in the history of the program, reflecting the tremendous contribution of these joint whistleblowers to our ability to recover funds for harmed investors,” said Jane Norberg, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. “The SEC has now awarded over a quarter of a billion dollars to whistleblowers in the first seven months of this fiscal year alone, demonstrating the tremendous value of whistleblowers to our enforcement program.” The SEC has awarded approximately $812 million to 151 individuals since issuing its first award in 2012. To read the full press release, click here .

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Agrees to Pay $2.6 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Massachusetts Eye and Ear) has agreed to pay $2.678 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act . Specifically, the United States has alleged that between 2012 and 2020, Massachusetts Eye and Ear regularly submitted claims to Medicare and MassHealth for office visits where physicians performed certain medical procedures, like nasal endoscopies and laryngoscopies. Medicare and MassHealth do not permit billing for such office visits in addition to billing for the procedures, except under special circumstances that were not present here. To read the full article, click here .

Miami-Based CareCloud Health Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million to Resolve Allegations It Paid Illegal Kickbacks

CareCloud Health, Inc. (CareCloud), a Miami-based developer of electronic health records (EHR) software products, has agreed to pay $3.8 million to resolve allegations that it paid unlawful kickbacks to generate sales of its EHR products. The United States alleges that CareCloud violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute through its marketing referral program. Between 2012 and 2017, CareCloud purportedly offered and provided its existing clients cash equivalent credits, cash bonuses and percentage success payments to recommend CareCloud’s EHR products to prospective clients. The settlement resolves allegations filed by a whistleblower . The whistleblower will be awarded approximately $800,000. To read the DOJ press release, click here .

Whistleblower Roundup – April 16th, 2021

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:51:37 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

United States Intervenes in False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Connections Community Support Programs, Inc.

The United States announced this week that it has filed a complaint in partial intervention against Connections Community Support Programs (“Connections”) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. From at least January 2015 through October 2019, Connections purportedly submitted over 4,000 claims to Medicare in which it falsely certified that an individual holding an eligible qualification provided mental health services to Medicare beneficiaries when, in reality, a different Connections staff member who did not hold an eligible qualification provided the mental health service. The U.S. alleges that as a result of the false claims Connections submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, Connections was paid more than $4.5 million for mental health services for which it was not entitled to reimbursement. To read the full article, click here.

Sixth Circuit Construes False Claims Act to Prohibit Post-Employment Retaliation

Can an employer be held liable under the False Claims Act (“FCA”) for retaliation if it takes an adverse action against a former employee? Until recently, only one federal appellate court had addressed the issue, holding that the FCA does not cover post-employment retaliation . However, the Sixth Circuit recently reached the opposite conclusion in United States ex rel. Felten v. William Beaumont Hospital. The court found that extending the FCA’s protections to former employees was “the more accurate reading” of the statute. Although Beaumont is binding precedent only in the Sixth Circuit, it is a useful reminder to employers that retaliation against former employee whistleblowers may potentially give rise to costly litigation and liability under the FCA. To read the full article from the National Law Review, click here.

Patient Recruiter Sentenced to Prison for $3.3 Million Cancer Genetic Testing Fraud Scheme

A Florida man, Ivan Andre Scott, was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud with a scheme that resulted in the submission of approximately $3.3 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for genetic testing. According to court documents, Scott allegedly targeted Medicare beneficiaries with telemarketing calls falsely stating that Medicare covered expensive cancer screening genetic testing, with each test costing as much as $6,000. After beneficiaries took the test, Scott allegedly paid unlawful bribes and kickbacks to telemedicine companies to obtain doctor’s orders authorizing the tests. To read the full DOJ press release, click here.

Whistleblower Roundup – April 9th, 2021

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 11:52:25 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

South Carolina’s Largest Urgent Care Provider Settles False Claims Act Allegations for $22.5 Million

The Department of Justice announced this week that South Carolina’s largest urgent care provider network – and its management company, UCI Medical Affiliates of South Carolina, Inc. (“UCI”), will pay $22.5 million to resolve allegations of healthcare fraud in violation of the False Claims Act . The case began with a whistleblower complaint alleging that UCI falsely certified that certain urgent care visits were performed by providers who were credentialed to bill Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE for medical services. However, the services were performed by non-credentialed providers. Federal health insurance companies require medical providers to apply for and receive approval to bill any services to the insurer. To read the full DOJ press release, click here.

Inside Nissan’s Battle with Ghosn: A Whistleblower Speaks Out

Nissan Motor Co.’s former top lawyer, Ravinder Passi, who led an internal investigation into alleged financial misconduct by Carlos Ghosn, is speaking out for the first time about the arrest of ex-chairman Ghosn and what he views as a toxic corporate culture. Ghosn faced Japanese criminal indictments that he underreported his remuneration by more than $140 million and funneled millions of dollars into secret, off-shore entities. In late 2019, Ghosn escaped from Japan after being smuggled onto a private plane in a music equipment box. Once Passi wrote a detailed memo spelling out his worries about an internal investigation at Nissan surrounding Ghosn, he was swiftly removed from the investigation and shut out of board meetings. To read the full coverage from Bloomberg, click here.

Pharmacist Charged in $4 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme

A New York man, John Sabet, was arrested for his role in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and to pay kickback and bribes to customers for expensive prescription orders with more than $4 million in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. According to the indictment, Sabet conspired to pay kickbacks and bribes to customers to convince them to fill prescriptions at his pharmacies, and to pay customers cash in exchange for billing Medicare. To read the full DOJ press release, click here.

Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison Represent Whistleblowers in a Successful Federal Lawsuit Alleging Fraud Against HUD

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:53:08 GMT

Jerry Martin and Seth Hyatt of the law firm Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, representing whistleblowers in a federal lawsuit, announced the resolution of the case that alleged developers had defrauded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under the False Claims Act (FCA) , individuals with knowledge of fraud on a government program can file a qui tam lawsuit and share in the recovery as a reward for bringing the purported fraud to the government’s attention.

In their lawsuit, the whistleblowers alleged that Defendants manipulated a HUD program intended to increase the stock of affordable housing in cities such as Nashville. Specifically, the lawsuit alleged that Defendants concealed their status as property developers and falsely certified an intention to occupy the homes as primary residences—rather than develop or “flip” them. Under HUD rules, this gave Defendants an opportunity to bid prior to the bidding opening up to developers and investors.

The Department of Justice, through the local United States Attorney’s Office, lead the investigation and resolved the litigation on behalf of the taxpayers. The Defendants have agreed to pay the government $200,000 to resolve these claims. The Defendants are also banned from participating in HUD programs for a period of time.

“This HUD program was intended to increase the stock of affordable housing, something that is desperately needed in Nashville,” said Jerry Martin who represented the whistleblowers. Mr. Martin, who was appointed by the President to serve as the United States Attorney from 2010-2013, now represents individuals who come forward to expose fraud on government programs.

If you know of fraud on a federal or state program and are thinking about coming forward, contact our firm to confidentially discuss your options.

Read The Tennessean’s coverage of the settlement here.

United States Reaches $200,000 Settlement with Property Developers in False Claims Act Case Filed by Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 11:54:47 GMT

If you know of fraud on a federal or state program and are thinking about coming forward, contact our firm to confidentially discuss your options.

Read The Tennessean’s coverage of the settlement here.

Whistleblower Roundup – March 16th, 2021

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 11:56:10 GMT

If you know of fraud on a federal or state program and are thinking about coming forward, contact our firm to confidentially discuss your options.

Read The Tennessean’s coverage of the settlement here.

Health Management Associates Whistleblower Awarded Nearly $1 Million in Fees

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:57:21 GMT

A federal district court judge in Florida recently ruled that Bradley Nukrin, a False Claims Act whistleblower , is entitled to recover $959,713 in attorneys’ fees and expenses for his role in bringing about a $260 million settlement between Health Management Associates and the United States.

Under the terms of that settlement, Nurkin had already been awarded a $15 million “relator’s share” from this $260 million recovery, to reward Mr. Nurkin for filing his original False Claims Act lawsuit and alerting the government to allegations of Health Management Associates paying kickbacks for doctor referrals and billing healthcare programs for inpatient services that should have been billed as outpatient services.

Judge John E. Steele ruled that the fee recovery was proper under the lodestar method of calculating reasonable attorney’s fees in the Middle District of Florida. Under the federal False Claims Act, these attorney’s fees are paid by the defendants, and do not come out of the government’s recovery.

The government settled the lawsuit in September 2018. Health Management Associates (HMA) is a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS). Our law firm previously represented a doctor and two nurses in a whistleblower case against CHS. CHS ultimately agreed to pay $98.15 million to resolve those claims and claims in several related cases, which are similar to some of the claims resolved in the 2018 HMA settlement. Our case was filed on behalf of our whistleblower clients in the federal court in Nashville, Tennessee. Click here to read more about our case .

Since January 2009, the federal government has recovered $19.3 billion from health care fraud actions alone. The qui tam provision of the False Claims Act allows ordinary citizens to help the government stop fraudulent activity.

To read the full article from Bloomberg Law, click here .

Whistleblower Roundup – February 8, 2021

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:00:37 GMT

The CEO of a Texas-based group of hospice and home health entities was sentenced to 15 years in prison for falsely telling thousands of patients with long-term incurable diseases that they had less than 6 months to live in order to enroll them in hospice programs. The patients were otherwise unqualified for the programs, thereby increasing revenue to the company. The scheme included the submission of over $150 million in fraudulent bills, the falsification of patients’ medical records, and the payment of unlawful kickbacks. To read the full press release, click here.

The Middle District of Tennessee announced that James Anderson, M.D. has agreed to pay the United States and Tennessee a total of $1.72 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations for improperly billing for electro-acupuncture using a peri-auricular stimulation device known as “P-Stim” that does not qualify for reimbursement under Medicare or TennCare. P-Stim is an electro-acupuncture device that is affixed behind a patient’s ear. Once activated, the device then provides intermittent stimulation by electrical pulses. From May 2016 to November 2018, Dr. Anderson billed for and was reimbursed by the United States for acupuncture using the P-Stim devices. To read the full press release, click here.

Americans are blowing the whistle on their employees like never before. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) received 6,900 tips alleging white-collar malfeasance in the fiscal year that ended on September 30th. This is a 31% jump from the previous 12-month record. According to whistleblower lawyers and academics, people are more emboldened to come forward when they don’t have managers and co-workers peering over their shoulders. According to Adam Waytz, a psychologist at Northwestern University who has studied the motivations of whistleblowers, “When you feel disconnected from work, you feel more comfortable speaking up.” Also, the increase in awards to whistleblowers might be a factor in encouraging whistleblowers to come forward. To read the full article from Bloomberg Law, click here.

To learn more about our Whistleblower & Qui Tam practice click here. Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee but we represent whistleblowers all around the country. Call us today at (615) 244-2202.

Whistleblower Roundup – February 1, 2021

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:02:00 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Nevada Man Charged with $1.9 Million COVID-Relief Fraud

A Nevada man, Jorge Abramovs, was charged for his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions by filing bank loan applications that sought more than $1.9 million dollars in forgivable loans. Mr. Abramovs allegedly obtained nearly $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from seven different lenders by submitting multiple loan applications in the names of three different businesses while falsely claiming to have numerous employees earning wages. The indictment further alleges that Mr. Abramovs used the PPP funds for personal purposes, including purchasing a Tesla, a Bentley, two condominiums, and paying his home mortgage. To read the full press release, click here.

SEC Issues Over $1.1 Million to 5 Whistleblowers

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced five whistleblower awards totaling more than $1.1 million this week. The whistleblowers provided high-quality information that led to successful enforcement actions. Established under the Dodd Frank Act, the SEC Whistleblower Program offers monetary rewards to qualified whistleblowers who provide the Commission with original information of frauds. Whistleblowers can receive awards ranging from 10-30% of the sanctions collected from the successful enforcement action. Since 2012, 133 SEC whistleblowers have received approximately $737 million in awards. To read the full story, click here for the SEC’s press release.

Whistleblower Complaint Leads to Investigation of Exxon

According to the Wall Street Journal , the SEC has launched an investigation of ExxonMobil Corp in response to a whistleblower complaint filed with the SEC that alleges Exxon overvalued a key oil and gas asset. The whistleblower complaint concerns Exxon’s valuation of a key asset in the Permian Basin, which, located in West Texas and New Mexico, is currently the highest-producing oil field in the United States. According to the complaint, in order to reach a higher valuation of the asset, Exxon employees were forced to use unrealistic assumptions about the speed at which the company could drill wells there. The current status of the SEC’s investigation is unknown.

Collective Action Lawsuit Filed Against Nashville Electric Service

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 13:02:52 GMT

Our firm has filed a Fair Labor Standards Act collective action lawsuit against Nashville Electric Service on behalf of all Supervisors who have worked for NES at any time since December 4, 2017. This lawsuit seeks overtime pay for the five hours of “Professional Time” (from hours 40-45 each week) that NES does not pay its Supervisors.

To view the Court-approved Notice form describing the case, click here. To join this case, fill out the consent form here.

You must submit a claim form to recover wages that result from any settlement or judgment obtained by the Plaintiffs in this case.

Whistleblower Roundup – December 2, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 13:03:33 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Guild Mortgage Company to Pay $24.9 Million to Resolve Allegations it Knowingly Caused False Claims for Federal Mortgage insurance

Guild Mortgage Company has agreed to pay the United States $24.9 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act. The company allegedly knowingly breached program requirements when it underwrote mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The lawsuit was filed by a whistleblower, the former heard of quality control at Guild Mortgage Company. The whistleblower will receive almost $5 million for his share of the recovery. To read the full story, click here.

Memphis Physicians Agree to Pay More Than $340,000 for Alleged Overbilling

A group of Memphis physicians have agreed to pay $341,690 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly charging Medicare for services rendered by Nurse Practitioners at the higher reimbursement rate reserved for physicians. Medicare pays a higher rate for physician services than for non-physician services. The settlement resolves allegations brought by a whistleblower under the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act. The whistleblower will receive $58,087 for his share of the recovery. To read the full story, click here.

Fiat Chrysler Agrees to Pay $9.5 Million Penalty for Disclosure Violations

The SEC announced that Fiat Chrysler has agreed to settle charges that it made misleading disclosures about an internal audit of its emissions control systems. Fiat Chrysler reported in an annual report that it had conducted an internal audit which confirmed that their vehicles complied with regulations concerning emissions. The SEC found that Fiat Chrysler’s internal audit was limited and that they did not conduct a comprehensive review of their compliance with U.S. emissions regulations. To read the full press, release, click here.

To learn more about our Whistleblower & Qui Tam practice click here. Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee but we represent whistleblowers all around the country. Call us today at (615) 244-2202.

SEC Paid Whistleblower A Record $114 Million

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 12:04:24 GMT

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a staggering award of over $114 million to an anonymous whistleblower whose information and assistance led to the successful enforcement of SEC and related actions. The whistleblower initially reported the wrongdoing internally, to no avail. At that point, the whistleblower tipped off the SEC. “I hope this record-breaking award encourages others with information about possible securities laws violations to step forward,” Jane Norberg, head of the SEC’s whistleblower office, told CNN Business in an exclusive interview.

This award more than doubles the prior SEC whistleblower record, which was set just four months ago. It’s been a record year for whistleblowers – the SEC handed out 39 individual whistleblower awards totaling $175 million during the fiscal year that ended in September. That’s more than in any year since the agency’s whistleblower office launched in 2011. And the SEC received a record number of tips last year about potential wrongdoing.

To read the full story from CNN Business, click here.

Whistleblower Roundup – September 30, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:05:14 GMT

Verizon Wireless and AT&T have agreed to pay a combined $116 million to settle a long-running lawsuit alleging the wireless carriers overcharged hundreds of California cities, schools and other government agencies. The lawsuit, filed by a whistleblower in 2012, alleged that Verizon and AT&T failed to optimize rate plans to the lowest cost option as pledged in their contracts with governments. It is the second-largest California False Claims Act award in the state’s history outside of the health-care industry. To read the full story, click here.

Gilead Agrees to Pay $97 Million To Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability For Paying Kickbacks

Pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) has agreed to pay $97 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by illegally using a foundation as a conduit to pay the copays of thousands of Medicare patients taking Gilead’s hypertension drug, Letairis. From 2007 through 2010, Gilead made payments to the foundation, which, in turn, used those funds to pay copays of patients prescribed Letairis. Under the Anti-Kickback Statute, a pharmaceutical company is prohibited from offering or paying any remuneration — which includes money or any other thing of value — to induce Medicare patients to purchase the company’s drugs.This prohibition extends to the payment of patients’ copay obligations. To read the full press release, click here.

Schiff Alleges DHS Whistleblower Deposition Is Being Stonewalled

House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Friday said he is moving forward with a subpoena for a top official at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), claiming the agency has obstructed a whistleblower from accessing records ahead of a congressional deposition. Schiff is seeking the public testimony of Joseph Maher, the top official carrying out the duties of the undersecretary for Intelligence & Analysis (I&A), in which Schiff says he wants to hear Maher explain why former undersecretary Brian Murphy was not granted access to classified records related to his whistleblower complaint. Schiff said Murphy’s lack of access to records has led his committee to postpone a deposition before his panel from Murphy for a second time. To read the full story, click here.

Whistleblower Roundup – September 21, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:05:52 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Former NFL Player Charged for Role in $24 Million COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme

Joshua Bellamy, a former wide receiver for the New York Jets, has been charged for his alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $24 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Mr. Bellamy had allegedly taken part in a scheme with 10 other defendants who collectively filed at least 90 fraudulent loan applications. Mr. Bellamy obtained a PPP loan of $1.25 million which he used to buy more than $100,000 in luxury goods. To read the full story, click here for the New York Times article.

West Virginia Hospital to Pay $50 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

Wheeling Hospital, Inc., an acute care hospital, has agreed to pay the United States $50 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute. The hospital violated the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statutes by willfully paying improper compensation to referring physicians that was based on the volume or value of the physicians’ referrals. The settlement stems from a whistleblower complaint from a former Executive Vice President. The whistleblower will receive $10 million for his share of the recovery. To read the full story, click here.

Whistleblower Alleges Medical Neglect and Questionable Hysterectomies of ICE Detainees

Top congressional Democrats are calling for a federal investigation after a nurse who worked at an immigration detention center in Georgia filed a whistleblower complaint. The complaint alleged a lack of medical care that facilitated the spread of COVID-19 and that immigrant women received questionable hysterectomies. The whistleblower , Dawn Wooten, said she faced retaliation at the facility after she missed work while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. A group of 168 members of Congress have sent a letter urging DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari to investigate the allegations. To read the complete story, click here.

Whistleblower Roundup – June 29, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:06:36 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

“Compound King” and Wife Sentenced in $21 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

A Houston pharmacist and his wife were sentenced for their roles in an approximately $21.8 million fraud scheme. George Tompkins, the self-proclaimed “Compound King”, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Allegedly, Tompkins and others billed the Department of Labor for medically unnecessary compound gels and creams that were predicated on illegal kickback payments. To read the full story, click here.

Atlanta Hospital System to Pay $16 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations

Piedmont Healthcare, Inc., an Atlanta-based hospital system, has agreed to pay $16 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare and Medicaid for procedures at the more expensive inpatient level of care instead of the less costly outpatient or observation level of care. The lawsuit was initiated by a whistleblower , a former Piedmont physician. The whistleblower will receive approximately $2 million for his share of the recovery. To read the full story, click here.

3 Defendants Plead Guilty in $65 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

Three former U.S. service members pleaded guilty in federal court, admitting their roles in a fraud scheme that bilked the military healthcare program, TRICARE, out of more than $65 million. The defendants illegally recruited TRICARE patients to receive extraordinarily expensive and unnecessary prescription compounded drugs – which cost TRICARE an average of more than $14,500 per medication per month. They induced the patients to sign up by offering monthly payments to participate in a bogus “medical evaluation”, when no medical evaluation was taking place. To read the full DOJ press release, click here.

To learn more about our Whistleblower & Qui Tam practice click here. Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee but we represent whistleblowers all around the country. Call us today at (615) 244-2202.

Whistleblower Roundup – June 19, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 12:07:21 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

United States Joins Lawsuit Against AECOM Alleging False Claims in Connection with Hurricane Disaster Relief

The United States has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against AECOM, an architecture and engineering firm based in Los Angeles, California. The DOJ reports that AECOM received more than $300 million from FEMA as a technical assistance contractor as part of FEMA’s disaster response to Hurricane Katrina. AECOM alleging used inflated repair estimates and other false information that improperly increased their funding. The lawsuit was initiated by a whistleblower, an AECOM employee. The whistleblower will receive a $2.3 million award for his disclosure. To read more, click here.

Leader of $50 Million Health Care Fraud Pleads Guilty

William Hickman, of Northfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Hickman was the mastermind of a prescription drug scheme which caused more than $50 million in losses to state health benefit programs and insurers. Hickman was a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company and would persuade patients to receive compounded medications they didn’t need so that he could seek reimbursement. As part of his plea, Hickman agreed to pay more than $53 million in restitution. To read more, click here.

3 Charged in $180 Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

This week an indictment against three individuals for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare and TRICARE was unsealed. The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $180 million in fraudulent billing. The schemes included soliciting and paying kickbacks and bribes to marketers, physicians, and beneficiaries to refer and prescribe prescriptions for medically unnecessary compound medications. For the full coverage, click here for the DOJ press release.

To learn more about our Whistleblower & Qui Tam practice click here. Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee but we represent whistleblowers all around the country. Call us today at (615) 244-2202.

Whistleblower Roundup – June 9, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 12:09:40 GMT

A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK’S NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS.

SEC Issues Record $50 Million Award to Single Whistleblower

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has paid out its largest-ever whistleblower award at nearly $50 million. The whistleblower, who worked as a trader, tipped off the agency to a currency manipulation scheme at Bank of New York Mellon. The whistleblower assisted with the SEC’s investigation for more than a decade. The bank allegedly was giving pensions funds less-than-desirable exchange rates, helping the bank make massive profits from the difference. To read the full story, click here.

Florida Men Charged in $54 Million Compound Pharmacy Kickback Scheme

Four Florida men were charged in an indictment unsealed Thursday for their alleged participation in a compound pharmacy kickback scheme. The allegations stem from the defendants’ participation in a conspiracy to defraud TRICARE , a federal health care benefit program for active duty service members. The men allegedly owned Florida Pharmacy Solutions (FPS), which targeted TRICARE beneficiaries and caused the submissions to TRICARE of claims for illegally prescribed prescriptions. To read the full DOJ press release, click here.

Tips to SEC Surge as Working From Home Emboldens Whistleblowers

A new side effect of remote working, layoffs and furloughs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic: more whistleblowers. The SEC received about 4,000 tips, complaints and referrals of possible corporate wrongdoings from mid-March to mid-May. That number is 35% higher than it was in the same period last year. Lawyers chalk up the increase to the fact that many would-be tipsters are working from the privacy of their home, out of view of snooping colleagues and managers and thus safer from being exposed as whistleblowers. To read the full story from the Wall Street Journal, click here.

To Look Out For: Wave of Whistleblower Suits Predicted Over Virus Relief Aid

Money meant to save hospitals and health systems from collapse during the coronavirus pandemic is likely to ensnarl some providers in high stakes litigation. In addition to criminal charges, providers will likely see a wave of civil lawsuits accusing them of either taking a bailout they didn’t need or frivolously spending the money they got. To read the full story from Bloomberg Law, click here.

Former U.S. Attorneys Call For Police Reform & Accountability

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Sun, 17 May 2020 12:08:50 GMT

Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison partner and former U.S. Attorney, Jerry Martin, has joined with 62 other Obama-era U.S. attorneys to call for national police reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the conversation around police brutality. They support the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 which improves police accountability and calls for certain practices, like chokeholds, to be outlawed.

Read the full letter here.

Whistleblower Roundup – February 27, 2020

jmartin@barrettjohnston.com (Gerald Martin) — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 13:11:59 GMT

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Guardian Elder Care to Pay $15.4 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations for Unnecessary Rehabilitation Therapy Services

Guardian Elder Care Holdings, Inc. and its related entities have agreed to pay $15.4 million to resolve False Claims Acts allegations that they overbilled Medicare for medically unnecessary rehabilitation therapy services. Guardian operated more than 50 nursing facilities through Pennsylvania. From 2011 to 2017, Guardian caused facilities to bill patients at the highest rate of Medicare reimbursement, when services at that level were not needed. The lawsuit was originally filed by two former Guardian employees and they will receive approximately $2.8 million for their share of the recovery. Click here for the DOJ’s press release.

Trump’s Attack on Vindman May Violate Whistleblower Protection Laws, but Challenging It Could Be Risky

Whistleblower advocates warn that President Trump’s moves against impeachment witnesses may be illegal. On February 7, a crucial witness in the House Impeachment Inquiry last fall, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, was prematurely transferred back to the Pentagon from his position at the White House National Security Council. Under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act, members of the armed forces cannot face retaliation for certain “protected communications,” including Congressional testimony. However, it’s unlikely that the inspector general for the Department of Defense will request an investigation into his removal. To read the full story from Time, click here.

Tenet Healthcare Settles False Claims Act Allegations for $1.41 Million

Tenet Healthcare and its affiliated hospital, both located in Palm Springs, California, have agreed to pay $1.41 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by charging Medicare for implanting unnecessary cardiac monitors. The settlement resolved allegations brought forth by a former DRMC employee under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. He will receive $240,789 for his share of the recovery. To read more, click here.

To learn more about our Whistleblower & Qui Tam practice click here. Our firm is located in Nashville, Tennessee but we represent whistleblowers all around the country. Call us today at (615) 244-2202.

barrett-johnston

United States v. Arriva Medical, LLC, et al.

Attorneys Involved

Collective Action Lawsuit Filed Against Downtown Sporting Club in Nashville to Recover Wages Owed to Servers and Bartenders

Justice Department Recovers Over $3 Billion from False Claims Act Cases in 2019 and Whistleblowers Receive $265 Million in Rewards

What Workers Should Know About Their Rights During The Coronavirus Pandemic

PAY FOR ALL OF THE TIME YOU SPEND WORKING

PAID AND UNPAID LEAVE

REASONABLE WORK ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WORKERS AT HIGH RISK OF CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE

MORE QUESTIONS?

Servers in Kentucky – If You Have to Share Your Tips, You May Have a Legal Claim

Common Wage Violations Impacting Servers and Bartenders – Know Your Rights

United States v. Community Health Systems, Inc.

Attorneys Involved

Schuh v. HCA Holdings Inc.

Attorneys Involved

Noel v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville

Attorneys Involved

Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, PLLC Announces Record Breaking $160 Million Settlement

Whistleblower Roundup – May 5th, 2021

A look back at the week’s news andxx developments affecting whistleblowers.

SEC Awards Over $50 Million to Joint Whistleblowers

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Agrees to Pay $2.6 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Miami-Based CareCloud Health Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million to Resolve Allegations It Paid Illegal Kickbacks

Whistleblower Roundup – April 16th, 2021

Whistleblower Roundup – April 9th, 2021

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

South Carolina’s Largest Urgent Care Provider Settles False Claims Act Allegations for $22.5 Million

Inside Nissan’s Battle with Ghosn: A Whistleblower Speaks Out

Pharmacist Charged in $4 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme

Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison Represent Whistleblowers in a Successful Federal Lawsuit Alleging Fraud Against HUD

United States Reaches $200,000 Settlement with Property Developers in False Claims Act Case Filed by Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison

Whistleblower Roundup – March 16th, 2021

Health Management Associates Whistleblower Awarded Nearly $1 Million in Fees

Whistleblower Roundup – February 8, 2021

Whistleblower Roundup – February 1, 2021

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Nevada Man Charged with $1.9 Million COVID-Relief Fraud

SEC Issues Over $1.1 Million to 5 Whistleblowers

Whistleblower Complaint Leads to Investigation of Exxon

Collective Action Lawsuit Filed Against Nashville Electric Service

Whistleblower Roundup – December 2, 2020

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Guild Mortgage Company to Pay $24.9 Million to Resolve Allegations it Knowingly Caused False Claims for Federal Mortgage insurance

Memphis Physicians Agree to Pay More Than $340,000 for Alleged Overbilling

Fiat Chrysler Agrees to Pay $9.5 Million Penalty for Disclosure Violations

SEC Paid Whistleblower A Record $114 Million

Whistleblower Roundup – September 30, 2020

Gilead Agrees to Pay $97 Million To Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability For Paying Kickbacks

Schiff Alleges DHS Whistleblower Deposition Is Being Stonewalled

Whistleblower Roundup – September 21, 2020

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Former NFL Player Charged for Role in $24 Million COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme

West Virginia Hospital to Pay $50 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

Whistleblower Alleges Medical Neglect and Questionable Hysterectomies of ICE Detainees

Whistleblower Roundup – June 29, 2020

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

“Compound King” and Wife Sentenced in $21 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

Atlanta Hospital System to Pay $16 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations

3 Defendants Plead Guilty in $65 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

Whistleblower Roundup – June 19, 2020

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

United States Joins Lawsuit Against AECOM Alleging False Claims in Connection with Hurricane Disaster Relief

Leader of $50 Million Health Care Fraud Pleads Guilty

3 Charged in $180 Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

Whistleblower Roundup – June 9, 2020

A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK’S NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS.

SEC Issues Record $50 Million Award to Single Whistleblower

Florida Men Charged in $54 Million Compound Pharmacy Kickback Scheme

Tips to SEC Surge as Working From Home Emboldens Whistleblowers

To Look Out For: Wave of Whistleblower Suits Predicted Over Virus Relief Aid

Former U.S. Attorneys Call For Police Reform & Accountability

Whistleblower Roundup – February 27, 2020

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Guardian Elder Care to Pay $15.4 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations for Unnecessary Rehabilitation Therapy Services

Trump’s Attack on Vindman May Violate Whistleblower Protection Laws, but Challenging It Could Be Risky

Tenet Healthcare Settles False Claims Act Allegations for $1.41 Million