Sept. 27, 2019

Former Soldier Sentenced on Firearm Offense

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced JOSEPH RUSSEL GRAFF, 39, of Newport, North Carolina to 52 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Sept. 26, 2019

Federal Health Care Fraud Takedown In Northeastern U.S. Results In 54 Defendants Charged And Convicted

The Justice Department today announced a coordinated health care fraud enforcement action across seven federal districts in the Northeastern United States, involving more than $800 million in losses and the distribution of over 3.25 million pills of opioids in "pill mill" clinics and doctors' offices. The takedown includes new charges and convictions by guilty plea against 54 defendants for their roles in submitting nearly $800 million in fraudulent claims made to federal payers, including 15 doctors or medical professionals, and 24 defendants are charged for their roles in diverting opioids.

Sept. 26, 2019

Prime Contractor Employee at U.S. Military Bases Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for $1.4 Million Fraud and Taking Kickbacks

A Pennsylvania man employed as a regional manager for a contractor involved with construction projects at Picatinny Arsenal (PICA) and at Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst (Ft. Dix) was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for his role in a fraud scheme that caused losses of $1.4 million, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Sept. 26, 2019

Additional New Jersey Case Announced As Part Of Federal Health Care Fraud Takedown In Northeastern U.S.

The Justice Department today announced a coordinated health care fraud enforcement action across seven federal districts in the Northeastern United States, involving more than $800 million in losses and the distribution of over 3.25 million pills of opioids in "pill mill" clinics and doctors' offices. The takedown includes new charges and convictions by guilty plea against 54 defendants for their roles in submitting nearly $800 million in fraudulent claims made to federal payers, including 15 doctors or medical professionals, and 24 defendants are charged for their roles in diverting opioids.

Sept. 26, 2019

Federal Health Care Fraud Takedown in Northeastern U.S. Results in Charges Against 48 Individuals

The Justice Department today announced a coordinated health care fraud enforcement action across seven federal districts in the Northeastern United States, involving more than $800 million in loss and the distribution of over 3.25 million pills of opioids in "pill mill" clinics. The takedown includes new charges against 48 defendants for their roles in submitting over $160 million in fraudulent claims, including charges against 15 doctors or medical professionals, and 24 who were charged for their roles in diverting opioids.

Sept. 26, 2019

Former U.S. Army Range Director Pleads Guilty In Bribery Scheme

John Winslett, 65, of Bristol, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to accept kickbacks in connection with a U.S. government contract. Winslett admitted that he bribed government contracting officials in order to steer federal contracts worth at least $19 million to his employer, a government contractor. Winslett further admitted that he accepted $723,333.33 in kickbacks from a local subcontractor, in exchange for Winslett assigning those contracts to that local subcontractor. Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2020 before Chief U.S. District Judge John M. Seabright.

Sept. 26, 2019

Pharmaceutical Company Targeting Elderly Victims Admits to Paying Kickbacks, Resolves Related False Claims Act Violations

Avanir Pharmaceuticals (Avanir), a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Aliso Viejo, California, was charged for paying kickbacks to a physician to induce prescriptions of its drug Nuedexta, the Department of Justice announced today. The Northern District of Ohio also announced indictments of four individuals, including former Avanir employees and one of the top prescribers of Nuedexta in the country, who were involved in the kickback scheme.

Sept. 25, 2019

Gulf Coast Health Care Fraud Law Enforcement Action Results in Charges Against 33 Individuals

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced today an expansive health care fraud enforcement operation across the Gulf Coast, involving charges against a total of 11 individuals across four federal districts for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and to obtain oxycodone and other controlled substances by fraud. The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $515 million in fraudulent billings. Those charged included physicians, licensed social workers, as well as other medical and business professionals. In addition, in the state of Louisiana, 22 defendants, including 19 certified mental and home health professionals, have been charged with defrauding Medicaid out of approximately $300,000. These cases were investigated by Louisiana’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).

Sept. 24, 2019

Second Appalachian Region Prescription Opioid Strikeforce Takedown Results in Charges Against 13 Individuals, Including 11 Physicians

The Justice Department announced today the second coordinated law enforcement action of the Appalachian Region Prescription Opioid (ARPO) strike force, resulting in charges against 13 individuals across five Appalachian federal districts for alleged offenses relating to the over prescription of controlled substances through "pill mill" clinics. Of those charged, 12 were charged for their role in unlawfully distributing opioids and other controlled substances and 11 were physicians. The alleged conduct resulted in the distribution of more than 17 million pills.

Sept. 18, 2019

Ohio Man Arrested For Orchestrating $10 Million Dollar Scheme To Defraud Health Care Benefit Programs

An Ohio man was arrested today for his role in a large-scale, multi-level marketing scheme to defraud private and federally funded health care benefit programs of at least $10 million through the submission of claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions for compounded medications, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.