Genova Diagnostics, A laboratory company will pay the government $10 Million for allegedly tested patients' feces unnecessarily and billed the federal government, leading to charges of Medicare fraud. Now, they'll pay between $17-43 million to settle those allegations and others, according to the Department of Justice. A lawsuit filed in federal court alleged Genova improperly...
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Category: False Claims Act
False Claims Act Areas to Watch in 2020
The Department of Justice recently announced that it obtained more than $3 billion in settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act in 2019. The source of most of these payouts was qui tam actions filed by whistleblowers. Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers may be entitled...
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DOJ Names Skilled Nursing Facilities as 2020 False Claims Act Focus Area
Each year, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announces its areas of focus for the upcoming year, giving providers an idea of where to expect enforcement action. In its most recent update, the DOJ announced plans to make improper care and billing at nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities a priority in 2020.
Patient-Driven Payment Model
In...
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Common False Claims Act Whistleblower Mistakes
Under the False Claims Act, which is one of the country's most protective whistleblower laws, people can receive financial rewards for reporting specific types of fraud perpetuated against the federal government. The following types of fraud are covered under the act:
Colluding to collect money from...
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Recent False Claims Act Settlements Demonstrate the Importance of Whistleblowers
The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes liability on individuals and companies who defraud governmental programs. Many False Claims Act cases are initiated by people, also known as whistleblowers, who have firsthand knowledge of fraud against the government. Whistleblowers who report fraud under the False Claims Act are...
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Can a False Claims Act Whistleblower Remain Anonymous?
The main concern of most people who consider “blowing the whistle” on wrongdoing is confidentiality. Potential whistleblowers want to report fraud, but they also fear that doing the right thing may have negative unintended consequences. These are valid concerns, as those who defraud the federal government are usually quite capable of retaliating...
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False Claims Act: Do I Have a Case?
The False Claims Act (“FCA”) is a law that imposes liability on people who defraud the federal government. In order to encourage people to report such fraud, the FCA provides financial incentives to reporters, who are also known as “whistleblowers.” Specifically, a whistleblower may be entitled to up 30% of...
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What Is the False Claims Act?
Private individuals can file a lawsuit for violations of the False Claims Act ("FCA") on behalf of the U.S. government. If successful, an individual who files a lawsuit under the FCA, also known as a whistleblower, is entitled to up to 30% of the proceeds while receiving protection...
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Fomer Countrywide Exec awarded $57.6 million in whistelblower case involving mortgage fraud. One of the largest awards ever
Edward O'Donnell, a former executive at mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, is set to collect a cool $57.6 million from Bank of America (BAC), for his role in exposing fraudulent activity at the firm. A federal grand jury ruled that Countrywide Financial, which is now owned by Bank of America, had defrauded government-backed...
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Answers to Common FCA Whistleblower Questions
The False Claims Act (“FCA”) is a federal law that imposes liability on those who defraud the federal government. The FCA is the federal government's primary legal method of combating fraud against the government. A person who files a lawsuit under the FCA, also known as...
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