Whistleblower News From The Inside — June 19, 2015

By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team

Feds charge hundreds with Medicare fraud — More than 200 people, including nurses and doctors, have been charged in what officials called the largest crackdown on suspected Medicare fraud—amounting to roughly $712 million in allegedly false billing.  WSJ

SEC charges 36 firms for fraudulent municipal bond offerings — The SEC announced enforcement actions against 36 municipal underwriting firms for violations in municipal bond offerings in the first cases brought against underwriters under the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Initiative.   SEC

Inspire Pharmaceuticals settles off-label marketing case – The NYAG announced today that New York, along with 46 other states and the District of Columbia, have reached a multi-million settlement with Inspire Pharmaceuticals resolving allegations that it violated state and federal False Claims Act laws by illegally marketing the anti-bacterial drug Azasite for off-label uses.   NYAG

SEC, The Whistleblowers’ “Advocate” — In the four years since the bounty program became effective, the SEC has proved that it will do what it takes to make the program successful, including awarding payments totaling over $50 million to whistleblowers and pursuing companies that retaliate against whistleblowers.    Forbes

Hospice pays $10m for overcharging for hospice services — Covenant Hospice Inc. agreed to pay over $10 million to reimburse the government for alleged overbilling of Medicare, Tricare and Medicaid for hospice services by billing for more intensive services than necessary.   DOJ

FIFA officials lawyer up — FIFA President Sepp Blatter and top official Jerome Valcke have hired lawyers weeks after the U.S. alleged widespread bribery and corruption among the most powerful figures in soccer.  Bloomberg