Whistleblower News From The Inside — March 7, 2016

By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team

Chicago Doctor Convicted in Kickback Scheme – After a 5-week trial, a jury found Dr. v. R. Kuchipudi guilty of conspiracy to defraud the US, and related claims, for receiving benefits in exchange for referring elderly patients to Sacred Heart Hospital.  Dr. Kuchipudi is the tenth defendant convicted in a multi-year investigation of the now-shuttered hospital.  ND IL

Five Plead Guilty in $13 Million Texas Health Care Fraud – The defendants’ scheme involved false clinics and payments to individuals and patients for diagnostic tests and blood work, regardless of medical need.   SD TX

Federal Jury Convicts Dallas Anesthesiologist on Health Care Fraud Offenses Involving Approximately $10 Million in Fraudulent Billings – Dr. R. Toussaint was accused of billing insurance programs by submitting claims that he had personally medically directed or been present for anesthesia services by certified nurse anesthetists when, in fact, he had not.  ND TX

Escobar case set for oral argument – The case of Universal Health Services v. United States ex rel. Escobar, has been set for oral argument before the Supreme Court on April 19, 2016. Also last week,  amicus briefs were filed by the United States (which also filed a motion for leave to participate in oral argument), the Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund, and others.  SCOTUSBlog

MD AG Brings Case Against Johnson & Johnson for Price-Fixing of Acuvue Contact Lenses  – The nation’s largest maker of contact lenses is being accused of violating Maryland’s antitrust law by conspiring with retailers to set a higher minimum price for their products.  MD AG

Kenya Investigates Nike Payments – Nike made payment to Athletics Kenya as “honorariums” and a “commitment bonus,”  which were immediately withdrawn by Kenyan officials and kept off the books.  Fortune