Have a Claim?

Click here for a confidential contact or call:

1-212-350-2774

Whistleblower News From The Inside -- December 4, 2017

Posted  December 4, 2017

By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team

Sarasota Physician Agrees To Pay $1.95 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Unnecessary Ultrasounds –  Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that Dr. Arthur S. Portnow, the owner and operator of Arthur S. Portnow, P.A., d/b/a Apple Medical and Cardiovascular Group, d/b/a Apple Medical Group (collectively, Dr. Portnow) has agreed to pay $1.95 million to resolve allegations that he and his practice violated the False Claims Act by knowingly seeking reimbursement for medically unnecessary ultrasound tests that were performed on Medicare beneficiaries. DOJ

Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty In Connection with Health Insurance Fraud Scheme  The 45-year-old owner of Penitas Family Pharmacy has pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme to defraud Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Omar Espericueta, of Palmhurst, pleaded guilty today, joining co-defendant Oscar Elizondo, 47, of Pharr, who pleaded guilty on Wednesday. Both men conspired to submit more than $1.7 million in fraudulent claims through Penitas Family Pharmacy aka Riverside Pharmacy to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for expensive pain patches and scar creams. DOJ

 Fired Kentucky Elections Staffer Files Whistleblower Lawsuit – A former Kentucky State Board of Elections staff member who said his termination was in retaliation for accusing the Secretary of State’s Office of improperly gathering voter information during campaigns is now suing. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports former assistant to the director Matthew Selph filed a lawsuit against the board Wednesday, alleging the state’s whistleblower statute was violated by his firing. He said the board and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes knew he’d filed formal complaints alleging mismanagement and potential violations of the law. The lawsuit says Selph was subjected to retaliation and reprisal. Grimes’ spokesman, Bradford Queen, said the accusations were baseless and politically motivated. Grimes is chair of the bipartisan board and a Democrat; Selph is a Republican. US News