Whistleblower Blog Articles
Hospital Chain Agrees to Pay More Than $260 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuits
The federal False Claims Act (FCA) and related qui tam legal actions, as you can see from the size of the settlement, is a powerful tool that can be used to discourage healthcare providers from defrauding government health programs. A successful case can also hold accountable those who engage in fraud and other illegal acts. … Continue reading “Hospital Chain Agrees to Pay More Than $260 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuits”
Even the Famous Must Obey Whistleblower Laws
You probably haven’t heard of the whistleblower case Landis v. Tailwind Sports Corporation. But it might make a difference to you if we referred to it as “the Lance Armstrong case.” Armstrong, who was considered the best bicycle athlete in the world, was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles by the U.S. Anti-Doping … Continue reading “Even the Famous Must Obey Whistleblower Laws”
Two New Top Ten SEC Whistleblower Awards
Two whistleblower awards totaling $54 million were issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 6, 2018. Both the awards, $39 million and $15 million, are on the list of the Top Ten awards that have been given by the SEC to whistleblowers since 2012. This joint award is exceeded only by another … Continue reading “Two New Top Ten SEC Whistleblower Awards”
Defective Fighter Jet Engines Place U.S. Pilots in Jeopardy
Those in the military whose careers involve protecting us deserve the very best tools and supplies we can give them so they can perform their jobs safely. We previously told you about alleged False Claims Act (FCA) violations by the Boeing Company that endangered military personnel flying Air Force planes. Now, a whistleblower has come … Continue reading “Defective Fighter Jet Engines Place U.S. Pilots in Jeopardy”
Three New Settlements in Health Care Fraud
Sometimes it can feel as if fighting health care fraud is like bailing out a leaky boat with a thimble. But take heart: In August, 2018, three False Claims Act (FCA) health care settlements took place that might not have come to light if whistleblowers hadn’t been willing to get involved. Two cases involved physician … Continue reading “Three New Settlements in Health Care Fraud”
Possible Rule Changes Impact SEC Whistleblowers
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed some new rule amendments that impact whistleblowers. The changes were announced in late June, 2018, and the public is invited to comment on them until mid-September. Among the amendments are the following changes: Changing current rules regarding the amounts of whistleblower awards Creating a uniform definition of … Continue reading “Possible Rule Changes Impact SEC Whistleblowers”
Record Whistleblower Award by the CFTC
The Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC) gave out the largest whistleblower award in its history on July 12, 2018: $30 million under the Dodd-Frank whistleblower program. The program, begun in 2010, has issued five awards since its inception. In line with prior awards given by the CFTC, no details about the content of the original … Continue reading “Record Whistleblower Award by the CFTC”
Whistleblower’s Successful Case Will Likely Save Lives
Imagine someone selling a product that is meant to protect people, but it doesn’t. Now imagine that the seller knew all along that the product they were selling didn’t offer the promised protection. Aaron Westrick believed that the company he worked for was selling defective bulletproof vests to law enforcement, so he blew the whistle … Continue reading “Whistleblower’s Successful Case Will Likely Save Lives”
Violating the FCA’s Anti-Kickback Statute via Charities
Several big pharmaceutical companies have been under investigation for using charities that fund drug co-pays in ways that violate the False Claims Act’s (FCA) rules regarding illegal payments (kickbacks). The Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) forbids drug companies from paying for a Medicare patient’s drugs by offering either partial or full remuneration, because doing so might be … Continue reading “Violating the FCA’s Anti-Kickback Statute via Charities”
First SEC Award Paid Under the “Safe Harbor” Rule
A former company insider will be awarded more than $2.2 million by the SEC for providing crucial information that led to a substantial Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement action. The whistleblower reported their information to the SEC after telling another federal agency first, but because they conveyed the information within a 120-day grace period, … Continue reading “First SEC Award Paid Under the “Safe Harbor” Rule”
