Whistleblower News From The Inside -- March 9, 2017

By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team

Ophthalmologist’s Medicare fraud trial starts today – Opening statements are expected this morning in the $105 million Medicare fraud trial of prominent Palm Beach County ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, who faces charges he submitted false claims based on fabricated medical charts and, in a separate case, charges he bribed U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in exchange for various favors, including help resolving billing disputes with CMS. Palm Beach Post

EU could demand £1.7B from UK after customs fraud probe – The European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) labeled the UK a “significant hub” for undervaluation fraud after finding clothes and shoes were imported through the UK at fictitiously low values for years to avoid customs duties; Olaf estimates the fraud cost the EU £1.7B in lost duties between 2013–16. BBC

SEC nominee has potential conflicts of interest – SEC Commissioner nominee Jay Clayton’s former clients may prove to be a conflicts of interest minefield. Clayton has represented Ally Financial, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and others; existing ethics rules would likely bar Clayton from participating in any matters involving his former clients. Wall Street Journal