Marketer Charged in $64M Kickback Scheme

A picture of drugs, handcuffs and money.

A north Florida man recently was charged for his part in a $64 million scheme to pay illegal kickbacks involving pharmacies, telemedicine companies and doctors. According to the complaint, James D. Feeley of Navarre, Fla. and his partner Mark Belter of Ohio operated a purported marketing company for pharmacies that generated signed prescriptions that its…

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Feds Hot on the Trail of PPP Fraud

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On August 19, a Kansas chiropractor was convicted on multiple charges for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Timothy Dale Warren was charged with four counts of bank fraud, two counts of money laundering, and four counts of false statements. According to court documents, as owner of Titan…

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OIG Advisory Opinion Finds Proposed Joint Venture Riddled with Problems

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A contract therapy services company that provides management of day-to-day operations and therapy staffing for rehabilitation programs in long-term care communities (i.e., skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and full-service continuing care retirement communities) recently was advised by the HHS Office of Inspector General that a proposed joint venture arrangement presented a host of concerns…

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Four Healthcare Executives Sentenced in $198M Healthcare Fraud Scheme

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas recently announced that four healthcare executives have been sentenced for their involvement in a $189 million healthcare fraud scheme. Defendants: Bobby Rouse, 81, received 120 months; David Edson, 72, received 48 months, Steven House worth, 47, and Jeffrey Parsons, 62, both received 30 months. They…

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Settling FCA Claim From the Great Beyond

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Just because you die, it doesn’t mean you can’t be held accountable for illegal activity conducted while you were still alive, as evidenced by a recent settlement agreement announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Orlando, in late January, announced that the estate of Dr. Patrick T.…

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Substance Abuse Treatment Provider in New York Settles Federal Fraud Lawsuit for $6 Million

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York recently announced a $6 million settlement with a substance abuse treatment center for a civil healthcare fraud lawsuit for alleged kickbacks and falsified medical records. The provider, Addiction Care Interventions Chemical Dependency Treatment Centers (ACI) and its owner are required to repay the government…

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OIG Issues Fraud Alert Targeting Pharma Speaker Programs

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) earlier this month issued a fraud alert targeting speaker programs hosted by pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The watchdog agency’s alert points to fraud and abuse risks associated with the payment, solicitation or receipt of remuneration relating to these programs. These programs…

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Teva Charged With Paying Kickbacks to Increase Sales of MS Drug

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Teva Pharmaceuticals has joined a growing list of healthcare organizations alleged to have used charitable foundations to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in kickbacks. Earlier this month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston filed a complaint against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and Teva Neuroscience, Inc., the maker of Copaxone. It alleged the company conspired…

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