Whistleblower News From The Inside — October 17, 2016
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
Omnicare to Pay over $28 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations – The nation’s largest nursing home pharmacy was alleged to have solicited and received kickbacks from pharmaceutical manufacturer Abbott Laboratories in exchange for promoting the prescription drug, Depakote, for nursing home patients. The case, originally filed as qui tam actions by former Abbott employees, previously resulted in settlements with Abbott and PharMerica. DOJ
Individual faces charges for defrauding US foreign aid program – Yuval Marshak is accused of falsifying bid documents to make it appear that contracts with the Foreign Military Financing Program had been competitively bid, when they had not, and falsely certifying that no commissions were being paid. DOJ
Former Non-Profit Health Clinics CEO Sentenced to 18 Years for Funneling Millions in Grant Money to Private Companies he Formed – Jonathan Dunning was ordered to pay $13.5 million in restitution to HHS and others for orchestrating a scheme whereby he diverted grant money meant to serve the poor and homeless to his own entities. USAO N.D. Ala.
Ten Defendants Charged in Scheme to Defraud TRICARE of $100 million – The indictment alleges that over two years, the defendants conspired to run a scheme to defraud TRICARE in connection with the prescription of compounded pain and scar creams. The scheme involved the payment of kickbacks to TRICARE beneficiaries, payment of kickbacks to prescribing physicians, and the payment of kickbacks to marketers by the owners of compounding pharmacies. USAO N.D. Tex.
Trial set to Begin on Claim by Penn State Whistleblower Mike McQueary – McQueary, a key witness at the trial of former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, alleges he was the victim of retaliation by the university. Penn Live
Japanese Pharma Company Products Declared Adulterated – Employees of Nippon Fine Chemical prevented an FDA inspector from entering its laboratory by literally forming a “shoulder-to-shoulder” barricade. Customer complaints had alleged that the drugs from the company contained glass, hair, cardboard, metal — and even a black spider. StatNews
NJ Optometrist Charged with Fraud – Vincent Gamuzza allegedly submitted claims to Highmark for services that were never actually rendered. USAO W.D. Pa.
Accountant Pleads Guilty to Stealing $3.5 Million from Investment Advising Company – Gary Tiffany diverted funds to himself through wire transfers and forged checks. USAO Mass