Sept. 17, 2021

National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action Results in Charges Involving over $1.4 Billion in Alleged Losses

A strategically coordinated, six-week nationwide federal law enforcement action has resulted in criminal charges against 138 defendants, including 42 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, in 31 federal districts across the United States for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes that resulted in approximately $1.4 billion in alleged losses.

Sept. 15, 2021

Orlando Cardiologist Pays $6.75 Million to Resolve Allegations of Performing Unnecessary Medical Procedures

Dr. Ashish Pal, a cardiologist based in Orlando, Florida, has paid $6.75 million to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by performing medically unnecessary ablations and vein stent procedures.

Sept. 14, 2021

Iranian National Sentenced for Illegally Exporting Military Sensitive Items

An Iranian national was sentenced today to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Sept. 10, 2021

Owner of Maryland Company Providing Prosthetics and Orthotics Materials to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Sentenced to Federal Prison for Paying Gratuities

U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Bruce Thomas, age 53, of Germantown Maryland, yesterday to eight months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, with four months of that to be served in home confinement, for paying gratuities to a public official in exchange for official acts. Judge Chuang also ordered Thomas to pay a fine of $50,0000 and forfeit and pay restitution in the amount of $27,890.62. Thomas is the owner and operator of Pinnacle Orthopedic Services, Inc., also located in Germantown.

Sept. 10, 2021

Georgia defense contractor agrees to $900,000 payment to settle False Claims Act allegations

Two Georgia companies and their owners have agreed to pay $900,000 to resolve allegations that they provided unapproved substitute parts to the U.S. Army and that they violated the Buy American Act.

Sept. 3, 2021

Marine Corps Colonel Pleads Guilty in International Navy Bribery and Fraud Scandal

U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Enrico DeGuzman pleaded guilty to a bribery charge today, admitting that he accepted more than $67,000 in extravagant meals, drinks, entertainment and hotel stays in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo from foreign defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis.

Sept. 3, 2021

United States Obtains $140 Million in False Claims Act Judgments Against South Carolina Pain Management Clinics, Drug Testing Laboratories and a Substance Abuse Counseling Center

On Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina entered default judgments for the United States totaling $136,025,077 against Oaktree Medical Centre P.C. (Oaktree), FirstChoice Healthcare P.C. (FirstChoice), Labsource LLC (Labsource), Pain Management Associates of the Carolinas LLC (PMA of the Carolinas) and Pain Management Associates of North Carolina P.C. (PMA of North Carolina). This is the second time the court has entered a default judgment in this matter. On July 20, 2020, the court entered a default judgment in the amount of $4,269,084.78 against ProLab LLC (ProLab) and ProCare Counseling Center LLC (ProCare). The court entered these judgments after these defendants failed to defend against the United States' allegations.

Sept. 2, 2021

Former DOD Subcontractor Sentenced to Federal Prison for Submitting False Claims For Hours Worked

U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, Ill sentenced Melissa Heyer, age 46, of Gaithersburg, Maryland to a year and a day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for submitting false claims to the United States, specifically for claiming to have worked hours on a government contract when she allegedly was not at work. Judge Russell also ordered Heyer to pay $107,300 in restitution.

Aug. 31, 2021

Chief Warrant Officer Pleads Guilty in International Navy Bribery and Fraud Scandal

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gorsuch admitted in federal court today that he received more than $45,000 in bribes from foreign defense contractor Leonard Francis, who plied him with stays at luxurious hotels plus meals, entertainment and other gifts in exchange for official acts that would help Francis’ ship husbanding business, including the disclosure of multiple classified ship schedules.

Aug. 19, 2021

Missouri Army National Guardsman and Department of Defense Subcontractors Indicted for Conspiring to Steal and Sell Military Gear

A federal grand jury in East St. Louis, Illinois, has returned an indictment charging three area men with conspiring to steal and sell sensitive equipment and other property belonging to the United States military. Brandon Schulte, 43, of Jefferson City, Missouri, Jody ("Joe") Stambaugh, 50, of Nashville, Illinois, and Gary Stambaugh, 77, of Fayetteville, Illinois, are accused of conspiring with each other and others unnamed to steal military uniforms, tactical robots, night vision sights, high frequency radios, and other functional military equipment.