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One of the country’s largest home health providers has asked the U.S. Supreme Court consider a recent decision that says the company defrauded Medicare to the tune of $35 million.
Whistleblower’s Medicare accusation may go to Supreme Court
Northrop Grumman settles False Claims Act case for $27.45 million
The Justice Department has accused defense contracting giant Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC) of overbilling for employee hours on two Air Force battlefield communications contracts. It has now agreed to pay $25.8 million to settle those claims without admitting responsibility. When added to previous repayments, the company will have paid $27.45 million to reimburse the government. In addition, it has agreed to forfeit $4.2 million to resolve criminal allegations brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.
Critics of Facebook create safe space for whistleblowers
A group known as “Freedom From Facebook” is launching a new advertisement campaign that will ask whistleblowers inside Facebook to share concerns about the company. Freedom From Facebook is comprised of a group of nonprofits that share fears about Facebook’s growing power and the lack of user privacy.
DOJ accuses Navy contractor of lying about radioactivity tests
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco is being redeveloped into housing and commercial space. Between 1946 and 1969, however, the former Navy shipyard was involved in activities that created significant amounts of radioactive waste. First, the facility was the location of top-secret nuclear tests. Second, it was where ships were decontaminated after returning from hydrogen bomb tests. Cleaning up the radioactive waste is expected to cost at least $1 billion.
Mortgage lender to pay $13.2M for violating FHA lending standards
Between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2011, the Justice Department says, a Miami-based mortgage originator called the Universal American Mortgage Company LLC (UAMC) knowingly originated mortgages under the Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance program that did not qualify with that program's lending requirements. These defective loans violated the False Claims Act because the FHA mortgage insurance program is left on the hook when its insured mortgages go into foreclosure.
What whistleblowers can do about retaliation
Retaliation is one of the most significant concerns whistleblowers have when coming forward to report unethical behavior. Even though there are means of protection, employees may still harbor anxieties of being punished. They worry about their career, family and future.
Whistleblowers have protections, but can still face challenges
Whistleblowers serve a key role in our society. By bringing corporate wrongdoing to light, they open the door for justice to be served and for companies to go onto a better path. Whistleblowers can help with putting a stop to Medicare/Medicaid fraud and other types of fraud against the government.
