Whistleblower News From The Inside — October 22, 2015
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
How to punish corporate fraudsters – “Edward Thurlow, an English lord chancellor in the 18th century, reputedly said that it’s difficult to punish a corporation because there is ‘no soul to be damned, and no body to be kicked.’ But there is, in fact, a way to punish corporations for their misdeeds: Bar their officers from government work. So why don’t we?” NYT
Volkswagen investigating if diesel emissions deception was more extensive — Volkswagen said on Thursday that it was investigating whether substantially more vehicles than previously disclosed were equipped with software intended to deceive emissions tests. NYT
Valeant shares fall following reports of fraud – Shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals closed down 19.1% following claims by online stock commentary website Citron Research that the company was creating “phantom sales” and false revenues through subsidiary drug distribution companies. NYT
UK whistleblower exposes conspiracy to smuggle goods by military contractor – Military contractor ECL Solutions pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle goods into the United States in connection with a scheme to conceal the country of origin of its merchandise and was ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of over $1 million following a qui tam lawsuit by UK resident Todd Mihajlovic. E.D. PA USAO
OIG says no kickback penalties for free hospital transport – Advisory opinion from the DHHS OIG finds free shuttle services for patients offered by a rural health system without regard to patients’ insurance status or treatment sought posed a minimal risk of fraud and abuse and would not trigger Anti-Kickback liability. DHHS OIG
VA watchdog says relocation program for senior executives should be investigated – “The top watchdog for the Department of Veterans Affairs told lawmakers on Wednesday that a government program that pays private contractors a 27 percent fee to sell homes of senior executives who relocate ‘should be looked at.’” Washington Post