als Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the 25th Anniversary of the False Claims Act Amendments of 1986 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:36 EST "For nearly 150 years – since its initial passage during the Lincoln Administration – the False Claims Act has provided ordinary Americans with essential tools to combat fraud, to help recover damages, and to bring accountability to those who would take advantage of the United States government – and of American taxpayers," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
als Assistant Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the 25th Anniversary of the False Claims Act Amendments of 1986 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:03:11 EST "Our primary weapon for deterring and redressing fraud is the False Claims Act, which makes it illegal to submit fraudulent claims to the government," said Assistant Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
als Four Individuals and Three Corporations Convicted for Roles in Wire Fraud Conspiracy at New York Presbyterian Hospital By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:40:40 EST A Manhattan jury today convicted four individuals and three corporations for their participation in an eight-year conspiracy, involving kickbacks in excess of $2 million, to defraud New York Presbyterian Hospital. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als California Seafood Corporation Sentenced to Pay $1 Million for False Labeling of Seafood Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:07:11 EST Seafood Solutions Inc., a California corporation, was sentenced in federal court in Los Angeles today to pay $1 million in fines and community service payments for its role in the false labeling of frozen fish fillets. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Fourteen Hospitals to Pay U.S. More Than $12 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Related to Kyphoplasty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:23:45 EST Fourteen hospitals located in New York, Mississippi, North Carolina, Washington, Indiana, Missouri and Florida have agreed to pay the United States a total of more than $12 million to settle allegations that the health care facilities submitted false claims to Medicare, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Florida Jury Holds Tax Preparer Liable for $135,000 in Penalties for False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:22:13 EST An eight-member jury has unanimously found that a former Jackson Hewitt tax preparer, Frances Carlson of Bradenton, Fla., prepared 27 federal tax returns that she knew would understate her customers’ tax liabilities, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Dava Pharmaceuticals to Pay U.S. $11 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 15:46:30 EST Dava Pharmaceuticals Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $11 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by misreporting drug prices in order to reduce its Medicaid Drug Rebate obligations, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Florida Resident Convicted for Interfering with the IRS and Filing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:23:54 EST Roanne Eye, 57, of Plantation, Fla., was found guilty of tax charges late Thursday after a four-day jury trial, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Pennsylvania-based Lender to Pay U.S. $3.9 Million to Resolve False Claims Liability Related to Two Nursing Home Mortgages By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:48:42 EST Capmark Finance LLC in Horsham, Pa., has agreed to pay the United States $3.9 million, to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Two Individuals Arrested in Connection with Costa Rica-based Business Opportunity Fraud Ventures By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:22:24 EST A U.S. citizen and a Canadian citizen were arrested last week in Costa Rica in connection with the operation of a series of fraudulent business opportunities following their indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami on Nov. 29, 2011, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Boca Raton, Florida-based CPA Indicted for Preparing False Tax Returns and Obstructing Internal Revenue Laws By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:47:15 EST John P. Miller, a Certified Public Accountant, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in the Southern District of Florida with obstructing the Internal Revenue laws and preparing false tax returns the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Justice Department Settlement Requires Gunnison Energy and SG Interests to Pay the United States a Total of $550,000 for Antitrust and False Claims Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:09:00 EST The department reached a settlement with Gunnison Energy Corporation, SG Interests I Ltd. and SG Interests VII Ltd. that requires the companies to pay a total of $550,000 to the United States for antitrust and False Claims Act violations related to natural gas leases sold at auction by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Utah Man Charged with Filing False Claims for Tax Refunds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:15:58 EST Stanley Wardle of Spanish Fork, Utah, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City with nine counts of filing false claims for income tax refunds, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Federal Officials Announce Nationwide Crackdown on Black Market Rhino Trade By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:08:48 EST Seven people have been arrested on charges of trafficking in endangered black rhinoceros horn over the past week in Los Angeles, Newark, N.J., and New York. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als United States Intervenes in Suit Against American Commercial College Inc. Alleging False Claims Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:36:20 EST The United States has intervened in a whistleblower suit pending under the False Claims Act against American Commercial College Inc. (ACC), a chain of for-profit colleges located in west Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Three Individuals Charged with 1998 Racially-Motivated Murders of Two Men in Las Vegas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:50:59 EST The Justice Department announced today that Ross Hack, 40, Leland Jones, 31, and Melissa Hack, 37, have been charged with first degree murder and firearms offenses in relation to the 1998 deaths of Lin Newborn and Daniel Shersty. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Hospice Provider Odyssey Healthcare Agrees to Pay $25 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 18:23:42 EST Odyssey HealthCare, a subsidiary of Gentiva, has agreed to pay $25 million to resolve civil liability under the federal False Claims Act arising from its billing of claims for certain hospice services, the Justice Department announced today. Odyssey Healthcare currently provides hospice services in approximately 27 states, including Wisconsin. Odyssey was purchased by Gentiva Healthcare in 2010. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als U.S. Files False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Florida-based Federal Grant Recipient By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 10:22:15 EST The United States has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against the Florida-based Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA), the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Justice Department Officials Raise Awareness of Disaster Fraud Hotline By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 8 Mar 2012 10:15:03 EST Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with the recent series of tornadoes in the Midwest and South should be reported to the NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Georgia Couple Convicted of Conspiring to Defraud Irs and Filing False Returns in South Florida Refund Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:12:25 EDT Elmo Antonio George and Nasheba Necia Hunte, formerly from the U.S. Virgin Islands and currently residents of Villa Rica, Ga., were found guilty today by a federal jury in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and filing false individual income tax returns for 2005 and 2006, the Justice Department and the IRS announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Harbert Companies Agree to Pay $47 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:33:37 EDT Harbert Corporation, Harbert International, Inc., Bill Harbert International Constructions Inc., Harbert Construction Services (U.K.) Ltd. and Bilhar International Establishment have agreed to pay the United States $47 million to settle claims that they submitted false claims, and caused others to submit false claims, to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Two Southern California Men Plead Guilty for Their Roles in a Nationwide Breach of Credit and Debit Card Terminals at Michaels Stores Inc. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:42:53 EDT Edward Arakelyan, 21, and Arman Vardanyan, 22, were each charged in a criminal information filed on March 5, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Lockheed Martin Corporation Reaches $15.85 Million Settlement with U.S. to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:13:27 EDT Lockheed Martin Corporation has agreed to pay $15,850,000 to settle allegations that it mischarged perishable tools used on numerous government contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als United States Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Illinois-Based Lifewatch Services By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:29:01 EDT LifeWatch Services Inc., a Rosemont, Ill.-based company, has agreed to pay the United States $18.5 million to resolve allegations that the company submitted false claims to federal health care programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als U.S. and Mexican Officials Sign Letter of Intent to Share $6 Million in Forfeited Assets to Combat Financial Infrastructure of Organized Crime By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:26:11 EDT U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Mexican Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez today signed a letter of intent for the United States to share approximately $6 million in forfeited funds with the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Mexico to support Mexican efforts to combat the financial infrastructure of organized criminal groups and to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in forfeiture matters. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Washington State Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Filing False Liens Against Government Officials By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:25:52 EDT Ronald James Davenport of Chewelah, Wash., was sentenced to 41 months in prison today for filing more than $20 billion in false liens against four federal government officials, the Justice Department and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Residential Youth Treatment Facility for Medicaid Recipients in Marion, Virginia Agrees to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:51:01 EDT Universal Health Services Inc. (UHS) and two subsidiaries have reached a settlement in a False Claims Act lawsuit with the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Florida-Based Wellcare Health Plans Agrees to Pay $137.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 3 Apr 2012 16:50:10 EDT WellCare Health Plans Inc. will pay $137.5 million to the federal government and nine states to resolve four lawsuits alleging violations of the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Georgia-Based Radiation Oncology Practice to Pay $3.8 Million to Settle False Claims Act Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 3 Apr 2012 16:56:34 EDT Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia LLC, a radiation oncology practice, and its affiliates RCOG Cancer Centers LLC, Physician Oncology Services Management Company LLC, Frank A. Critz, M.D. and Physician Oncology Services L.P. (collectively, RCOG) agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle claims that they violated the False Claims Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Former Executive of Miami-Based Ocean Bank Sentenced to Serve 37 Months in Prison for Participating in Bribery Scheme and Filing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 4 Apr 2012 12:52:07 EDT A former executive of Ocean Bank, a financial institution headquartered in Miami, was sentenced today for participating in a scheme to accept bribes and for failing to report income on federal income tax returns Full Article OPA Press Releases
als District of Columbia Return Preparer Indicted for Preparing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 14:18:12 EDT A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment charging Enyinnaya Udo with 25 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Ammed Direct Llc to Pay $18 Million to United States and Tennessee to Resolve False Claims Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:31:33 EDT AmMed Direct LLC has agreed to pay the United States and the state of Tennessee $18 million plus interest to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare and Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare), the Justice Department announced today. Under the agreement, AmMed will pay $17,560,997 to the United States and $439,003 to Tennessee. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Walgreens Pharmacy Chain Pays $7.9 Million to Resolve False Prescription Billing Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:18:52 EDT Walgreens, an Illinois-based corporation operating a national retail pharmacy chain, has paid the United States and participating states $7.9 million to resolve allegations that Walgreens violated the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Attorney General Eric Holder Honors Individuals and Organizations for Service to Crime Victims By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:24 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder today honored award recipients as part of the 29th observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 22-28. This year’s theme, “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim” highlights the importance of ensuring services and support to all victims, their families and communities as they heal and seek a successful future. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Ohio Construction Firm Agrees to Pay $500,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:49:24 EDT Anthony Allega Cement Contractor Inc., a Cleveland construction firm, has agreed to pay the United States $500,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted false claims related to a federally-funded construction project, the Justice Department announced today. The United States alleged that Allega submitted false claims that made it appear that the company was in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, as required in order to obtain and maintain Allega’s contract with the government. The DBE program provides opportunities to businesses owned by minorities and women, as well as socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, to participate in federally-funded construction and design projects. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als ATK Launch Systems Inc. Settles False Claims Product Substitution Case for Nearly $37 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:56:02 EDT ATK has agreed to pay the United States $21 million in cash and provide necessary in-kind services worth $15,967,160 to fix the 76,000 unsafe para-flares remaining in the government’s inventory. The settlement resolves a False Claims Act suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als U.S. Intervenes in False Claims Lawsuit Alleging Knowing Failure to Pay Import Duties by Japanese and U.S. Companies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:56:40 EDT The United States has intervened in a lawsuit against Japanese company, Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiaries: Toyo Ink International Corp., located in New York; Toyo Ink America LLC, located in Illinois; and Toyo Ink Manufacturing America LLC, located in New Jersey, the Justice Department announced today. Toyo Ink, which has operations worldwide, is a leading provider of printing inks. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als McKesson Corp. Pays U.S. More Than $190 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:12:01 EDT McKesson Corporation has agreed to pay the United States more than $190 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by reporting inflated pricing information for a large number of prescription drugs, causing Medicaid to overpay for those drugs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Virginia Man Sentenced for Filing a False Refund Claim Based on Forms-1099 and for Failing to File Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:41:55 EDT Richard Jaensch, 54, of Annandale, Va., was sentenced today to 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Jaensch had been found guilty on Dec. 7, 2011, by a federal jury sitting in Alexandria, Va., of corruptly endeavoring to impede the IRS, filing a false claim for a refund and four counts of failing to file tax returns for 2004 through 2007. Judge Lee also sentenced Jaensch to three years supervised release and ordered him to pay $197,984 in restitution to the IRS. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Federal Officials Close Investigation into the Death of Sergio Hernandez-Guereca By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:49:29 EDT The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal charges against a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Border Patrol agent for the fatal shooting of the late Sergio Hernandez-Guereca, a 15-year-old Mexican national shot within a spillway of the Rio Grande River along the United States – Mexico border on June 7, 2010. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Colorado Man and Co-defendant Found Guilty for Scheme to File Approximately $22 Million in False Claims with the Irs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 17:23:01 EDT Curtis Morris, 43, of Elizabeth, Colo., and Richard Kellogg Armstrong, 77, of Prescott, Ariz., were found guilty on April 30, 2012, by a jury for mail fraud, filing false claims against the United States and conspiracy to file false claims against the United States, announced the Justice Department’s Tax Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and IRS-Criminal Investigation. In addition to these counts, Armstrong was also found guilty of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from the mail fraud. The guilty verdicts were the result of a three week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn. Morris and Armstrong are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10, 2012. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Prison Inmate Indicted in Alabama for Filing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 May 2012 12:05:27 EDT A federal grand jury sitting in Montgomery, Ala., has returned an indictment charging David Marrero, formerly a resident of Florida, with corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and filing false claims, the Justice Department and IRS announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Medicare Fraud Strike Force Charges 107 Individuals for Approximately $452 Million in False Billing By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 May 2012 13:34:13 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven cities has resulted in charges against 107 individuals, including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $452 million in false billing. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Hyosung Corporation Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Obstruction of Justice for Submitting False Documents in an ATM Merger Investigation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 May 2012 10:54:41 EDT An executive of South Korean-based Hyosung Corporation has agreed to plead guilty and to serve time in a U.S. prison for obstruction of justice charges in connection with an automated teller machine (ATM) merger investigation conducted by the Antitrust Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Georgia County Commissioner Charged with Attempted Extortion, Bribery and False Statements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 May 2012 17:09:38 EDT Al J. Hurley, 54, is charged in a three-count indictment filed in the Middle District of Georgia with attempted extortion, bribery and false statements. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Virginia Anesthesiologist Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 May 2012 17:36:43 EDT George Anderson, 57, an anesthesiologist from Farmville, Va., pleaded guilty today to two counts of filing a false corporate and false individual income tax return, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Two Individuals and Their California Company Sentenced in Connection with Exports of Computer Equipment to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 May 2012 17:12:40 EDT Massoud Habibion, 49, a U.S. citizen, Mohsen Motamedian, 44, a U.S. citizen, and their Costa Mesa, Calif., company, Online Micro LLC, were sentenced today in the District of Columbia in connection with a scheme to illegally export millions of dollars worth of computer-related goods from the United States to Iran through the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Arizona State Representative Charged with Bribery, Fraud, Attempted Extortion and Making False Statements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 May 2012 17:59:48 EDT The indictment charges Paul Ben Arredondo, 63, of Tempe, with one count of federal programs bribery, two counts of honest services mail fraud, one count of attempted Hobbs Act extortion and one count of making false statements. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Former Pennsylvania Businessman Convicted of Filing False Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 17:20:00 EDT Jonathon Felix, formerly of Villanova, Pa., was found guilty by a federal jury of willfully signing and filing false income tax returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Petrese Tucker presided over the trial in Philadelphia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
als Miami Man Convicted for Obstruction of Justice and False Statements for Certifying Ships Safe for Sea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 12:35:21 EDT Alejandro Gonzalez, 60, of Miami-Dade County, Fla., was convicted by a federal jury in Miami of three counts of making false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and one count of obstruction of an agency proceeding. Full Article OPA Press Releases