Whistleblower News From The Inside -- June 17, 2016
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
SCOTUS decision in Universal Health Services v. U.S. ex rel. Escobar is a big win for whistleblowers — The Court endorsed the “implied certification” theory of liability, holding that anyone who knowingly submits to the government a detailed claim for payment and misrepresents by omission that it is complying with all rules, regulations or contracts associated with the transaction may be liable under the False Claims Act, regardless of whether the government stipulated that compliance with such criteria was required for payment. Grassley
Ontario Securities Commission announces launch of whistleblower program — Ontario’s securities watchdog says July 14 is the launch date for its whistleblower program, which will pay up to $5 million for insider information about accounting fraud, insider trading and market manipulation. The Ontario Securities Commission’s whistleblower program — the first in Canada to pay for tips — will include protections for those who come forward, such as confidentiality and anti-retaliation measures. Canadian Business
Nonprofit CEO pleads guilty to fraud, theft charges — The former head of the Community Action of Minneapolis, Bill Davis, pleaded guilty to 16 counts of theft and fraud for stealing hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars intended to help low-income people, spending the money on lavish trips, cars and other personal items. Star Tribune
Software executive and three friends charged with insider trading –The SEC announced insider trading charges against Christopher Salis, former global vice president at software company SAP America, and three close friends who made more than a half-million dollars based an illegal tip about an upcoming merger between SAP and Concur Technologies. SEC
Financial adviser gets 9 years in $15M fraud scheme – A Massachusetts financier who defrauded investors and misappropriated more than $15 million from an investment fund has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Boston Herald