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Constantine Cannon Settles Whistleblower Case with Sharp Healthcare Center for Research

Posted 11/6/19

A whistleblower represented by Constantine Cannon, who exposed an alleged cycle of deceit at Sharp HealthCare, a regional hospital system in San Diego, has settled a False Claims Act lawsuit against the Sharp Healthcare Center for Research, Sharp’s clinical-trial research arm. The whistleblower suit alleged that Sharp fraudulently billed government payers, like Medicare and Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in...

Tagged in: FCA Federal, Importance of Whistleblowers, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Eligibility,

Appellate Decision Raises Questions for Relators Seeking a Share from Alternate Remedies

Posted 11/4/19

The Third Circuit caught industry headlines when it was reported to have ruled on October 28, 2019, that a whistleblower had no right to an award based on a portion of criminal fines or forfeitures. That would upend longstanding rights of relators to share in the proceeds of “related proceedings.” Thankfully, the real scope of the opinion is less far-reaching, though it would be wise for relators to consider...

Tagged in: Court Decision, FCA Federal, Importance of Whistleblowers, Whistleblower Eligibility, Whistleblower Rewards,

Catch of the Week: Sanford Health to pay over $20M for kickback, unnecessary spinal surgery claims brought by two Sanford doctors

Posted 10/30/19

Our Catch of the Week features a $20.25 million settlement with South Dakota-based Sanford Health, Sanford Medical Center, and Sanford Clinic announced by the Justice Department in an October 28, 2019 press release. The settlement resolves allegations the massive health system knowingly submitted claims for medically unnecessary spinal surgeries and tainted by kickbacks to a top Sanford neurosurgeon. Two Sanford...

Tagged in: Anti-Kickback and Stark, Catch of the Week, FCA Federal, Importance of Whistleblowers, Medical Billing Fraud, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,

Catch of the Week: Osteo Relief Institutes, Pedaling Dubious Treatment for Arthritis, Tagged for Charging Medicare for Medically Unnecessary Services

Posted 10/25/19

On October 18, 2019, the Department of Justice announced a settlement with arthritis treatment provider Osteo Relief Institutes and seven of its locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Lexington, Kentucky; Wall Township, New Jersey; Dallas, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and, Colorado Springs, Colorado. According to the DOJ press release, the ORI entities, together with their principals, will collectively...

Tagged in: Catch of the Week, FCA Federal, Healthcare Fraud, Lack of Medical Necessity, Medical Billing Fraud, Provider Fraud, Whistleblower Case,

Amazon Feels the Force

Posted 10/17/19

It’s a reoccurring joke that our government services are a little behind on technological times. President Obama’s staff famously panicked in 2008 when confronted with the outdated state of White House technology. Although some things have improved in the last decade, the federal government still remains slow to adapt to technological change. The Pentagon is now trying to get on board with the...

Tagged in: Defense Contract Fraud, FCA Federal, Government Procurement Fraud,

Catch Our Rising Star!

Posted 10/17/19

Law360 has tapped Michael Ronickher, partner in the whistleblower practice at Constantine Cannon, for its 2019 Rising Star series. Law360 selected Mike for his work representing whistleblowers in all manner of reward programs, including his role in the groundbreaking cybersecurity whistleblower case against Cisco. What motivates Mike? His clients: “Our clients are a real reason that we all get out of bed in...

Tagged in: CC Lawyers, Cybersecurity and Data Breaches, FCA Federal, Importance of Whistleblowers, IRS Whistleblower Reward Program, Whistleblower Rewards,

Catch of the Week: Ophthalmology group, former CEO, and individual physicians settle fraud claims for $6.65M

Posted 10/11/19

Our latest Catch of the Week highlights the successful resolution of a whistleblower lawsuit against a Southern California eye doctor group and several individuals allegedly embroiled in a decade-long scheme to bill publicly funded healthcare programs for unnecessary eye exams. Ophthalmology provider group Retina Institute of California Medical Group (RIC), its former CEO, several of its doctors, and other involved...

Tagged in: Catch of the Week, FCA Federal, Medical Billing Fraud, Other Government Health Programs, Provider Fraud,

Catch of the Week: Avanir Pharmaceuticals

Posted 09/27/19

Our Catch of the Week goes to Avanir Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of Nuedexta, for allegedly paying kickbacks to physicians and engaging in false and misleading marketing tactics. Avanir allegedly marketed Nuedexta in long-term care facilities and targeted their sales tactics to encourage doctors to prescribe the drug to dementia patients for off-label uses. The pharma company agreed to pay over $108 million in...

Tagged in: Anti-Kickback and Stark, Catch of the Week, FCA Federal, Healthcare Fraud, Off-Label and Unapproved Use, Pharma Fraud, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,

Florida Pharma Whistleblower Case Results in FCA Settlement by Private Equity Firm

Posted 09/27/19

pill container spilled over with pills in the form of a dollar sign

Last week, the government announced that compounding pharmacy Diabetic Care Rx LLC, known as Patient Care America (“PCA”), its executives, and the private equity firm managing the pharmacy Riordan, Lewis & Haden Inc., had agreed to pay over $21 million to settle allegations they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by executing a kickback scheme to generate referrals of TRICARE patients. The allegations...

Tagged in: Compounding Pharmacy Fraud, Defendants, FCA Federal, FCA State, Healthcare Fraud, Importance of Whistleblowers, Pharma Fraud,

How to Report Visa Fraud for a Whistleblower Reward

Posted 09/25/19

A settlement with India-based management consulting firm Mu Sigma shows how whistleblowers can make a difference in visa enforcement. In September, 2019, Mu Sigma agreed to pay the U.S. $2.5 million to settle claims that it evaded H-1B visa requirements and brought employees to the U.S. on B1 visitor visas, misrepresenting the nature of their intended employment. In announcing the settlement, Immigration and Customs...

Tagged in: FCA Federal, Financial and Investment Fraud, Importance of Whistleblowers, International Whistleblowers, SEC Whistleblower Reward Program, Securities Fraud, Visa Fraud,

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Constantine Cannon Settles Whistleblower Case with Sharp Healthcare Center for Research

Appellate Decision Raises Questions for Relators Seeking a Share from Alternate Remedies

Catch of the Week: Sanford Health to pay over $20M for kickback, unnecessary spinal surgery claims brought by two Sanford doctors

Catch of the Week: Osteo Relief Institutes, Pedaling Dubious Treatment for Arthritis, Tagged for Charging Medicare for Medically Unnecessary Services

Amazon Feels the Force

Catch Our Rising Star!

Catch of the Week: Ophthalmology group, former CEO, and individual physicians settle fraud claims for $6.65M

Catch of the Week: Avanir Pharmaceuticals

Florida Pharma Whistleblower Case Results in FCA Settlement by Private Equity Firm

How to Report Visa Fraud for a Whistleblower Reward

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