In Their Own Words -- Ceshker
Posted 10/5/16
Whistleblower Insider Blog
Whistleblower Insider is written by the Constantine Cannon law firm team of experienced qui tam and whistleblower lawyers. It is updated regularly to provide the latest whistleblower and fraud news and developments.
Accountability Through Individual Prosecution: Former Tuomey CEO Pays $1 Million in False Claims Act Settlement
Posted 10/5/16
By Ronny Valdes
On September 27, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced former Tuomey Healthcare Systems CEO Ralph “Jay” Cox would pay $1 million to settle allegations related to his personal involvement in a fraudulent physician compensation scheme that violated the Stark Law and the False Claims Act (FCA). Tuomey, for its part, settled claims arising from the same scheme last year. In the original case...
Whistleblower News From The Inside -- October 5, 2016
Posted 10/5/16
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
Concert promoter sentenced to 18 years for $200m fraud – The owner of concert promotion company Worldwide Entertainment operated it as a Ponzi scheme with no real profits despite thousands of concerts by acts including Tina Turner, Aerosmith, David Bowe, Elton John and Britney Spears. Prosecutors said the owner was simply paying older investors with money from newer ones,...
In Their Own Words — Caldwell
Posted 10/4/16
-- "This is the largest single criminal health care fraud case ever brought against individuals by the Department of Justice."
Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell on the case against Philip Esformes, a nursing home operator charged with orchestrating a $1 billion Medicaid and Medicare bribery and kickback scheme. Click here for more.Whistleblower News From The Inside — October 4, 2016
Posted 10/4/16
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
Nursing home operator from Chicago jailed as feds allege $1 billion scheme – Philip Esformes, a wealthy nursing home operator awaiting trial for orchestrating a $1 billion Medicaid and Medicare bribery and kickback scheme, has been denied bond. The indictment alleges that Esformes and his conspirators bilked Medicaid and Medicare for 14 years by cycling some 14,000 patients...
In Their Own Words — Garaufis
Posted 10/3/16
-- “I would have you read the charges, but I have dinner plans at 8 p.m.”
Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the Federal District Court in Brooklyn, commenting on the hundreds of pages filed in the case against Och-Ziff Capital Management. Click here for more.Whistleblower News From The Inside — October 3, 2016
Posted 10/3/16
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
Branch Banking & Trust Company to Pay $83 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability -- The government alleged that between 2006 and 2014, BB&T knowingly originated and underwrote mortgage loans that did not meet requirements for FHA mortgage insurance. DOJ
Chemoil Agrees to Pay Civil Penalty of $27 Million and to Retire a Total of More Than $71 Million in Credits...
DOJ Catch of The Week -- Vibra Healthcare
Posted 09/30/16
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
This week's Department of Justice "Catch of the Week" goes to Pennsylvania-based hospital chain Vibra Healthcare LLC. On Wednesday, the company agreed to pay $32.7 million to settle charges it violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for medically unnecessary services. Vibra operates roughly three-dozen long term care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation...
In Their Own Words -- Norberg
Posted 09/30/16
-- "Bringing retaliation cases, including this first stand-alone retaliation case, illustrates the high priority we place on ensuring a safe environment for whistleblowers. We will continue to exercise our anti-retaliation authority when companies take reprisals for whistleblowing efforts."
Jane A. Norberg, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, commenting on the SEC’s $500,000 penalty against a casino...DOJ Catch of The Week -- Vibra Healthcare
Posted 09/30/16
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
This week's Department of Justice "Catch of the Week" goes to Pennsylvania-based hospital chain Vibra Healthcare LLC. On Wednesday, the company agreed to pay $32.7 million to settle charges it violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for medically unnecessary services. Vibra operates roughly three-dozen long term care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation...