On August 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a new cash-for-tips incentive for whistleblowers. Individuals who turn over original information or analysis relating to: financial crimes bribery or healthcare fraud are eligible for an award of up to 30% of any assets forfeited by the company as…
read moreOne of the most common areas for whistleblowers is the opioid crisis. As chronicled in countless books, podcasts, and TV shows, the opioid industry is rife with fraud. In 2020 and 2021 alone, the Justice Department secured settlements in excess of $3 billion arising from whistleblower and False Claims Act…
read moreWe have written extensively about fraud in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). See prior stories here and here. Now, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia is launching a special taskforce for COVID-19 fraud. As detailed in a front-page story on the March 31, 2022 edition of…
read moreFraud in federal and state education programs may be reported by whistleblowers. Under the False Claims Act and other statutes, whistleblowers are entitled to significant financial rewards and are protected from retaliation. The U.S. higher education system is excellent. But like many things, it requires significant financial investment. Each year,…
read moreIn response to widespread economic uncertainty due to COVID-19, the federal government enacted the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Because that program is especially vulnerable to fraud, whistleblowers are key players in addressing illegal conduct. Just last week, a Roanoke city jury convicted Roanoke City Councilman Robert Jeffrey of fraudulently obtaining…
read moreMedically unnecessary procedures are health care items and services that are not “reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury.”[1] The False Claims Act provides a mechanism for individuals to “blow the whistle” on instances of waste, fraud, or abuse for systemic unnecessary procedures in healthcare…
read moreEarlier this month, the University of Miami agreed to pay $22 million to resolve a lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act for fraudulent healthcare billing.[1] Four former healthcare executives at the University of Miami filed the suit. The Department of Justice will award the whistleblowing executives a share of…
read moreOur law firm has a fairly unique practice…we represent patients in medical malpractice cases against health care providers and whistleblower cases on behalf of honest folks who report cases of financial and billing fraud. I recently learned of a case which deals with both issues: a whistleblower on illegal kickbacks…
read moreA recent article in the Roanoke Times details the explosive growth in whistle-blowing lawsuits during the pandemic, especially for financial fraud. In the fiscal year that ended September 30, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission received 6,900 tips alleging while collar crime, 31% jump from the previous 12-month record. Whistleblowing…
read moreFraud occurs with surprising frequency in facilities with especially vulnerable patients. For this reason, nursing homes can be easy targets for Medicare and Medicaid fraud. These facilities are not under as much official scrutiny as hospitals. Nursing home residents are often unable to advocate for themselves. It is up…
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