Anti-Kickback Statute

Former DOJ Trial Attorney Michael Shaheen Returns to Crowell & Moring

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Shaheen , former trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Commercial Litigation Branch's Fraud Section, has rejoined Crowell & Moring.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Shaheen , former trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Commercial Litigation Branch's Fraud Section, has rejoined Crowell & Moring.
  • Shaheen returns as a partner in the firm's Health Care Group where he will focus on False Claims Act cases and healthcare fraud and abuse.
  • While at the Justice Department, Shaheen's roles on False Claims Act cases ranged from lead investigator to first chair trial attorney.
  • He was an associate at an AmLaw 100 firm prior to joining the DOJ in 2014.

Garfunkel Wild Opens Washington, D.C. Office

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The D.C. location marks the firm's sixth office in the United States and the second opened in the past two years.

Key Points: 
  • The D.C. location marks the firm's sixth office in the United States and the second opened in the past two years.
  • "Garfunkel Wild's full-service, cutting-edge, value-oriented platform presents enormous opportunities for both my clients and the Firm's clients in this region," said David Morrissy.
  • To be directed to a D.C.-based Garfunkel Wild attorney, call 202-780-3366.
  • Sign up on Garfunkel Wild's website to receive regular legal alerts and updates on upcoming complimentary educational sessions.

Coronis Health’s Fall 2023 Issue of Communiqué—Current News for the Anesthesia Specialty—Available Now

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 13, 2023

Coronis Health (Coronis), a trusted name in anesthesia billing and practice management, is pleased to announce that the Fall 2023 issue of its quarterly newsletter, Communiqué, is now available.

Key Points: 
  • Coronis Health (Coronis), a trusted name in anesthesia billing and practice management, is pleased to announce that the Fall 2023 issue of its quarterly newsletter, Communiqué, is now available.
  • Communiqué is a publication dedicated to bringing practical and tangible articles and advice, specific to the anesthesia and pain management community.
  • Communiqué features articles focusing on the latest hot topics for anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, pain management specialists and anesthesia practice administrators.
  • Coronis Health offers Communiqué electronically, as well as in hard copy, both on a complimentary basis.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: Specialty Pharmacy Pays $20 Million To Settle Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleging Kickbacks

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023

Kessler Topaz represented the whistleblowers who reported the alleged conduct.

Key Points: 
  • Kessler Topaz represented the whistleblowers who reported the alleged conduct.
  • The qui tam lawsuit was filed in 2019 and the United States intervened in 2021.
  • The qui tam suit was filed under the False Claims Act, which encourages private citizens to fight fraud against the government by bringing a whistleblower lawsuit.
  • If the government joins the lawsuit, the whistleblower may receive a monetary reward of between 15 and 25 percent of the recovery.

Greenberg Traurig Deepens Health Care Regulatory and Data Privacy Footprint in Philadelphia with Brad M. Rostolsky and Catherine E. David Galea

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP added two attorneys to its Health Care & FDA Practice in Philadelphia: Brad M. Rostolsky joined as a shareholder and Catherine E. David Galea joined as of counsel.

Key Points: 
  • Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP added two attorneys to its Health Care & FDA Practice in Philadelphia: Brad M. Rostolsky joined as a shareholder and Catherine E. David Galea joined as of counsel.
  • PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP added two attorneys to its Health Care & FDA Practice in Philadelphia : Brad M. Rostolsky joined as a shareholder and Catherine E. David Galea joined as of counsel.
  • Rostolsky comes to Greenberg Traurig after spending the bulk of his career at Reed Smith where Galea worked alongside him.
  • I've long been impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit and constant innovative approaches for which Greenberg Traurig is known," Rostolsky said.

Greenberg Traurig Atlanta Welcomes Back Mellori E. Lumpkin-Dawson, Expands Labor & Employment and Litigation Practices

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 19, 2023

ATLANTA, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mellori E. Lumpkin-Dawson rejoined global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP's Atlanta office as of counsel in the Labor & Employment and Litigation Practices. Lumpkin-Dawson returns to the firm after four and a half years with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Key Points: 
  • Mellori E. Lumpkin-Dawson rejoined global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP's Atlanta office as of counsel in the Labor & Employment and Litigation Practices.
  • ATLANTA, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mellori E. Lumpkin-Dawson rejoined global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP 's Atlanta office as of counsel in the Labor & Employment and Litigation Practices.
  • Lumpkin-Dawson, who served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Civil Elder Justice Coordinator, now focuses on employment litigation at Greenberg Traurig.
  • "We are excited to welcome Mellori back to Greenberg Traurig's Atlanta office, enhancing our Labor & Employment Practice's significant litigation capabilities," said Richard J. Valladares, chair of Greenberg Traurig's Atlanta Business Litigation Group and Administrative Shareholder of the firm's Atlanta office.

Talkiatry Hires Former Senior Executive of DEA Regulatory Diversion Control Division Eric Triana as Chief Compliance Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Virtual psychiatry finds itself in constant regulatory flux, navigating a complex web of laws to protect patients and remain compliant.

Key Points: 
  • Virtual psychiatry finds itself in constant regulatory flux, navigating a complex web of laws to protect patients and remain compliant.
  • That's why it's so important to have Eric on board leading our compliance efforts," said Robert Krayn , CEO and cofounder of Talkiatry.
  • Triana was employed at the Drug Enforcement Administration in a number of positions for more than two decades before joining Talkiatry.
  • Talkiatry patients can expect 60-minute first visits and 30-minute follow-ups and will see the same psychiatrist for every appointment.

Sanford Heisler Sharp Adds Brent Hannafan, Criminal Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 22, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sanford Heisler Sharp today announced the addition of Brent Hannafan, as a partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s Trial Practice. Hannafan will be resident in the firm’s Nashville office.

Key Points: 
  • “Brent is an outstanding addition to the firm and our Nashville presence,” said David Sanford, co-founder and Chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp.
  • A battle-tested, trial-ready attorney, Brent will be an immediate asset to our clients and litigation teams across the country.”
    Hannafan joins Sanford Heisler Sharp after 17 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Tennessee (MDTN), where he had served as Criminal Chief from 2017 to 2023.
  • Prior to serving as Criminal Chief, Hannafan served as Deputy Chief of the MDTN’s Narcotics Unit for two years.
  • “Brent is among the most experienced and successful trial attorneys in Tennessee,” said Sanford Heisler Sharp Co-Vice Chair Kevin Sharp, a former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee.

SouthEast Eye Specialists Pays $17 million to Settle Anti-Kickback, False Claims Act Allegations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 1, 2023

Those optometrists provided referrals to SEES for cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare and TennCare, resulting in alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

Key Points: 
  • Those optometrists provided referrals to SEES for cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare and TennCare, resulting in alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
  • The False Claims Act allows private citizens to bring cases in the name of the government against government contractors charged with fraud.
  • Such cases—also called qui tam cases—recover damages back to the government for false claims made to government programs, including Medicare and TennCare.
  • v. SouthEast Eye Specialists, PLLC, et al., and the case number is 17-00689.

Former Owner of R.I. Ophthalmology Chain Pays $1.1 Million to Settle Charges of FCA Violations alleging Kickbacks and Medicare Fraud in Lawsuit Filed by Herman Law Group

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dr. Paul S. Koch, a retired ophthalmologist has agreed to pay over $1.16 million dollars to resolve alleged claims that he, through Koch Eye Associates and Claris Vision paid kickback to optometrists who referred cataract surgery patients. The lawsuit was filed by Rhode Island attorneys, Louise A. Herman, Herman Law Group and Andrew Berg, Sammartino & Berg, LLP.

Key Points: 
  • The lawsuit was filed by Rhode Island attorneys, Louise A. Herman, Herman Law Group and Andrew Berg, Sammartino & Berg, LLP.
  • The settlement is neither an admission of liability by Dr. Koch nor a concession by the government that their claims were not well founded.
  • The case remained under seal for several years while the Government investigated, and eventually settled with Dr. Koch.
  • The FCA allows private citizens with knowledge of fraud against a government program to file lawsuits on the government's behalf.