Whistleblower News from the Inside - January 24, 2014

By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team

DOJ sues KBR for contract fraud in Iraq – The whistleblower-prompted False Claims Act action alleges that KBR submitted inflated and fraudulent bills and obtained illegal kickbacks in connection with its logistical support contract with the US Army in Iraq.  DOJ

Ranbaxy woes continue – The U.S. has banned the company, one of the largest suppliers of ingredients for generic drugs, from selling ingredients from yet another Indian plant; comes on the heels of a guilty plea and a $500 million settlement last year.  BBC

Conservative director of “Obama’s America” indicted – director of successful, sharply critical Obama documentary is indicted on charges of making illegal contributions to a 2012 Senate candidate.  Washington Times

Pressure mounts for HMA over allegations of inflated billing – According to whistleblowers who prompted the DOJ’s recent decision to sue the hospital chain, HMA’s strategy to bill Medicare for unnecessary admissions was largely driven by HMA’s former CEO.  NYT

SEC whistleblower chief says agency to target whistleblower retaliation – However, the SEC’s sister-agency, the CFTC, apparently does not believe it has the authority under the Dodd-Frank Act to go after this kind of misconduct.  WSJ

Artist Jasper Johns testifies in art fraud trial – Johns is star witness for the prosecution against a one-time successful foundry owner who is alleged to have sold a forged bronze sculpture of Johns’ iconic “Flag” painting for $11 million.   AP