Attorney General Bill McCollum of Florida has announced a $4.5 million settlement with Office Depot, after the company allegedly overcharged state agencies for office supply products. The settlement resolves an investigation by the state, which was initiated based on the allegations of a qui tam lawsuit. The whistleblower, David Sherwin, was a former manager for…
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. to Pay U.S. an Additional $3.7 Million for Overcharges
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. will pay the U.S. an additional $3.7 million to resolve civil claims regarding overcharges to the U.S. government, bringing their total settlement to $16, 570,018. The Army and other government agencies contract with Bell to buy helicopters and related goods and services. In 2004 the company notified the Defense Department’s Inspector…
EMC Corporation Pays U.S. $87.5 Millions to Settle False Claims Act Case
The information technology company EMC Corporation has paid the United States $87.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and federal Anti-Kickback Act. The United States alleged that EMC fraudulently caused the General Services Administration (GSA) to enter into a contract with overly high charges due to misrepresentations the company made. …
Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Christ Hospital Pay $108 Million in Qui Tam Settlement
The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and its former member hospital, The Christ Hospital, will pay the United States $108 million to resolve claims that they violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act. Allegedly, The Christ Hospital encouraged cardiologists to refer patients to their facilities by limiting the opportunity to work at their…
Nine Hospitals to Pay U.S. Over $9.4 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Nine hospitals located in Alabama, Indiana, Florida, South Carolina, New York and Minnesota will pay the United States over $9.4 million to resolve claims that they submitted false claims to Medicare through their kyphoplasty procedure practices. Seven of the nine health care facilities were named as defendants in a False Claims Act lawsuit filed in…
Novartis to Pay $72.5 Million to Settle Whistleblower Lawsuit
Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals will pay $72.5 million to settle civil False Claims Act allegations that the company caused false claims to be submitted to federal health care programs through its marketing of the drug TOBI. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the antibiotic TOBI for certain cystic fibrosis patients. …
Ciena Capital to Pay $26.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Cienna Capital, LLC, a private, non-depository lender in New York City, has agreed to pay $26.3 million to settle fraud claims with the United States. Allegedly, Ciena and its subsidiary Business Loan Center (BLC) submitted false claims for payment on loans made through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA guarantees up to 85% for…
Eli Lilly to Pay Louisiana $20 Million for Off-Label Marketing
Louisiana’s attorney general announced a $20 million settlement with Eli Lilly and Co., stemming from allegations that the manufacturer had engaged in off-label marketing of its anti-psychotic drug, Zyprexa. While Zyprexa is approved only for use in adults to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, Eli Lilly allegedly promoted the drug for use…
Wisconsin Receives $7.75 Million in Settlement with Drug Companies
The attorney general of Wisconsin announced that the state will receive $7.75 million in a settlement with four drug manufacturers. The companies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Inc., Ben Venue Laboratories Inc. and Roxane Laboratories Inc., are all affiliates of German drug giant, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. The lawsuit, filed in 2004, alleged that…
Genzyme Pays FDA $175 Million in Consent Decree Settlement
Drug maker Genzyme Corp. will pay the Food and Drug Administration $175 million to settle a consent decree, a serious enforcement action. The FDA issued the consent decree against Genzyme after a series of manufacturing problems led to shortages of two of its drugs, Fabrazyme and Cerezyme. In addition to the $175 million payment, the…