Friday, November 28, 2008

New Qui Tam Lawsuit Settlement, Same Whislteblower

St. Vincent Health Systems Inc. has agreed to pay $1.9 million to the federal government to settle a qui tam lawsuit alleging the hospital knowingly defrauded Medicare by submitting false reimbursement claims. The Erie, Pennsylvania based hospital is just one of many hospitals targeted by a single whistleblower. Anthony Kite, an independent hospital consultant has brought several cases against several hospitals, all ending in a payment to the U.S. federal government.

Click here to read more about Anthony Kite, St. Vincent Health Systems qui tam settlement and the other hospitals Kit has blown the whistle on.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

DoJ Reveals Their Share of Recovered Money in Qui Tam Settlements

Out of the total $1.34 billion recovered by the US government in qui tam settlements, the Department of Justice recovered $694.5 million. The money results from 3 major settlements with a device manufacturer and two pharmaceutical companies: Merck, Cephalon and Kyphon. The allegations ranged from illegal incentives to persuade healthcare providers to prescribe its products to defrauding Medicaid and Medicare. The qui tam provision allows citizens to file a lawsuit on behalf of the US and potentially recover 15 to 25 percent of the proceeds from a successful suit. Although all three companies paid in settlements, none admitted guilt of any allegations.

Click here to read more about the 2008 fiscal year qui tam recoveries from settlements.

Monday, November 17, 2008

US Govt. Claims $2.34 Billion in Fraud Settlements, Many Started by Whislteblowers

The US government claims they have recouped $2.34 billion in fraud cases, 78 percent of which were begun by private, individual whistleblowers. The assistant attorney general for Justice’s Civil Division, Gregory Katsas credited citizens’ willingness to call hotlines or initiate suits on their own saying these actions, “undoubtedly saves the country many times that amount in aborted schemes and misconduct.” In fiscal year 2008 these whistleblowers received $198 million, as they are entitled to 15 to 25 percent of the total recoup from these types of cases.

Click here to read more about the recoup from settlements in the last fiscal year for the US government in whistleblower and fraud cases.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Wiconsin Awarded Clean Diesel Grant

Wisconsin has received $295,320 from the U.S. EPA Region 5’s Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative to help bolster its 2008 clean-diesel program. Five other Midwestern states including Illinois and Indiana were awarded similar grants under the program. The projects funded by the money will include retrofit technologies, engine upgrades and idle-reduction on engines already in use.

Click here to read more about Wisconsin’s Clean-Diesel Grant

$52 Million Paid in Settlement for Defective Jet Blades

A $52 million settlement between PCC Airfoils, a division of Precision Castparts, and the Justice Department was reached after allegations that the company knowingly sold defective turbine blades for jet engines used by the US military. The investigation began after a defect led to a crash, during which the pilot safely ejected. The design of the blades did not meet critical design dimensions, leading to the crash. The company will do follow up inspections on blades already in use – the Air Force has not identified any future safety concerns.

Click here to read more about the $52 million settlement between PCC and the US Justice Department

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