Category: Whistleblower

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER A recent federal whistleblower case has been settled for $6.5 million.  Vector Planning and Services Inc. is an information technology, program management, and consulting firm that does business with the government.  The company was accused of inflating claims for payment under Navy contracts.  The allegations were made in […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER A former employee of a California based hospital chain has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the hospital.  The former employee was an executive with Prime Healthcare Services.  She alleges that the company overcharged the Medicare program on a regular basis.  California whistleblower attorneys say that Medicare fraud continues […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER The state of California has stronger protections for whistleblowers in 2014.  On January 1, 2014 three laws went into effect that will enhance protections for whistleblowers.  SB 496, along with SB 666 and AB 263 are the bills that will help protect whistleblowers going forward.  California whistleblower attorneys […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER The United States Department of Justice has released some information regarding a recent round of whistleblower lawsuits. One of the lawsuits involves allegations regarding Health Management Associates practices.  The Justice Department has decided to intervene in a False Claims Act lawsuit brought against Health Management Associates by two […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER For the fiscal year 2013, the United States Justice Department procured 3.8 billion in settlements and judgments combined for False Claims Act cases.  Civil cases are counted in that tally, not criminal cases.  An assistant to the Attorney General in the Civil Division stated that this is the […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER A California based nursing home operator has agreed to pay a settlement related to two whistleblower lawsuits.  The settlement is reportedly worth $48 million dollars.  It was alleged that the nursing home operator submitted bills to Medicare for therapy sessions that were unnecessary or never took place.  Ensign […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Internal Revenue Service agents have discovered that Google Maps is a valuable tool for auditing taxpayers and organizations.  According to Internal Revenue Service documents, agents have used photographs of properties from Google Maps in tax collection efforts.  In a recent case, photographs obtained from Google Maps were presented […]

ATTORNEY NEWLETTER Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the largest whistleblower reward offered so far.  The Office of the Whistleblower, a new part of the Securities and Exchange Commission, informed the public that a $14 million reward had been given to a whistleblower who helped recover substantial […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Sutter Health recently announced that it intends to pay $46 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit.  The lawsuit alleged that Sutter Health engaged in double billing practices with regard to anesthesia services provided to patients.  California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones stated that the settlement is the largest out […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Insurance Code section 1871.7 provides a private right of action to sue perpetrators of insurance fraud on behalf of the State of California.  Although modeled on federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, section 1871.7 is an attractive tool that offers significant advantages.  Section 1871.7, like other […]