In The News

Wilbanks & Gouinlock named “Whistleblower Lawyers of the Year”

Wilbanks & Bridges was recognized as Whistleblower Lawyers of the Year by it’s peers for its successes in furthering the goals of whistleblowers and the False Claims Act over the last year. The prestigious award was presented AT the 14th Annual Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund conference this week. The firm was recognized for the significant litigation results and settlements obtained over the last year which resulted in over $300 Million Dollars being recovered for the American taxpayers. The firm was also recognized for its efforts in reaching an $85 Million Dollar settlement with Halifax Hospital in Florida, which stands as the largest single Stark settlement recovery ever obtained under the False Claims Act. Read More…

Prime Healthcare

U.S. ex rel. Berntsen vs. Prime Healthcare, et. al. was filed in 2011 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  On August 3, 2018 a $65 million FCA settlement was announced.  The Wilbanks & Gouinlock client in this case was Karin Berntsen.  She was an employee of a Prime Healthcare […]

Additional Links:

• Prime Healthcare, CEO Settle FCA Case for $65M Over Admissions; Accountability Expands 
  Click here for a Report on Medicare Compliance article dated August 20, 2018
• California’s Prime Healthcare to pay $65 million to settle Medicare fraud lawsuit
  Click here for a Reveal News article dated August 6, 2018
• Clayton hospital owner to pay $65 million to settle lawsuit alleging fraud
  Click here for the AJC article dated August 3, 2018
• Hospital Chain Prime Healthcare to Pay $65M to Settle Fraud Claims
  Click here for a Fulton County Daily Report article dated August 3, 2018

January 29, 2018 – Marlan Wilbanks Weighs in on DOJ Whistleblower Memo

Marlan Wilbanks was featured in a Daily Report article detailing a memo released by the Department of Justice  this month.  The DOJ memo lays out new criteria for federal prosecutors to use when deciding whether to dismiss a False Claims Act case when the government decides not to intervene.  Wilbanks, who has won multi-million dollar […]

Wells Fargo Bank and Mortgage Investors Corporation

The whistleblowers alleged in this case that Wells Fargo and Mortgage Investors Corporation illegally charged veteran borrowers hidden fees on refinanced home loans guaranteed back by the Veterans Administration. Six other banks have settled for a total of $161.7 million dollars under the threat of the same allegations. This MIC case is still pending in […]

Additional Links:

• Facing Trial, Wells Fargo Pays $108 Million to Settle Whistleblower Suit
  Click here for Daily Report Article dated August 4, 2017
• St. Pete entrepreneur Bill Edwards dogged by lawsuit seeking to freeze assets
  Click here for Tampa Bay Times article dated January 29, 2017
• Bibby Lawsuit Alleges Hidden Charges On Veteran Loans
  Click Here for video story by WSBTV, Channel 2, Atlanta, Georgia.
• Six Banks Pay $161 Million To Settle False Claims Act Charge
  Click Here for Corporate Crime Reporter Article dated November 20, 2012.
• Wells Fargo Must Face Suit Over Veteran Loans, Judge Says
  Click Here for Bloomberg Article dated November 20, 2012.
• Wilbanks & Gouinlock Settles $45 Million Dollar Veteran Fraud Lawsuit With Defendant JPMorgan Chase
  Click here for Press Release.
  Click here for Fox 5 Atlanta report on settlement with JP Morgan Chase.
  Click here for Washington Post article dated March 13, 2012.
• Whistleblower Lawsuit Takes On Banks Nationwide That Cheated Taxpayers, Veterans Out Of Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars
  Click here for Press Release.
  Click here for Amended Complaint filed July 18, 2011.
  Click here for The Washington Post Article dated October 4, 2011.
  Click here for The Washington Post Article dated October 16, 2011.
  Click here to see the AdvisorOne article dated November 11, 2011.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

The suit alleged that Tenet and four of its hospitals in Georgia and South Carolina, entered into an illegal arrangement with a business called “Clinica de la Mama” that operated walk-in obstetric clinics for undocumented Hispanic women. The case settled in October 2016 for $368,000,000.

Additional Links:

• U.S. Department of Justice identifies a W&G case as one of the top five most significant healthcare fraud cases of 2016
  Click here for the U.S. Department of Justice press release dated December 14, 2016.
• A big sum for Medicaid – and come hard choices
  Click here for a Georgia Health News article by Andy Miller dated October 12,2016.
• Tenet Healthcare to pay $513 million in kickback case
  Click here for an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article by Carrie Teegardin dated October 3, 2016.
• Dallas-based Tenet to pay $514 million to settle whistleblower lawsuit
  Click here for a Dallas Morning News article by Sabriya Rice dated October 3, 2016.
• Tenet to pay millions over fraud scheme in Georgia 
  Click here for a Georgia Health news article dated October 3, 2016.
• Two former Tenet hospitals plead guilty to Medicaid kickbacks; $514M settlement finalized
  Click here for a Modern Healthcare article by Erica Teichert dated October 3, 2016.
• Tenet Healthcare to Pay $514 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations
  Click here for a Wall Street Journal article by Melanie Evans dated October 3, 2016.
• Hospital chain to pay $513 million to settle kickback claims
  Click here for an Associated Press article dated October 3, 2016.
• Settlement in “Pay-to-Play” Scheme Involving Undocumented Pregnant Women to Exceed $500M
  Click here for an article by Robin McDonald, Daily Report dated August 18, 2016
• Tenet Healthcare to pay $514 million to Resolve Kickback Allegations
  Click here for an article by Evan Sweeney, fiercehealthcare.com dated August 5, 2016.
• Tenet Hospital Chain Offers $238M to Settle Kickback Scheme Allegations
  Click here for an article by Robin McDonald, Daily Report dated February 26, 2016
• Government Intervenes in Lawsuit Against Tenet Healthcare Corp. and Georgia Hospital Owned by Health Management Associates, Inc. Alleging Payment of Kickbacks
  Click Here for the release from the U.S. DOJ.
  GOVT COMPLAINT INTERVENTION for Complaint-in-Intervention filed by the U. S. Department of Justice.
  Govt Complaint in Intervention Exh. 1 – 7 for Exhibits 1-7.
  Govt Complaint in Intervention Exh. 8-18 for Exhibits 8-18.
  Govt Complaint in Intervention Exh. 19-23 for Exhibits 19-23.
  Govt Complaint in Intervention Exh. 24-25 for Exhibits 24-25.

Davita, Inc.

In April of 2015, Davita settles case with United States and 2 W&G whistleblowers for $450,000,000 after 8 years of hard fought litigation.

Additional Links:

• Dialysis Company Accused Of Giant Medicare Fraud
  Click Here for Anderson Cooper 360/CNN Video Report of November 30, 2012.
• Wasted Dialysis Drugs To Buoy Profits Alleged In Davita And Gambro Healthcare, Inc. Case
  Dr. Alon Vainer And Daniel Barbir Allege In Lawsuit That Drugs Were Wasted To Buoy Davita Profits
• Lawsuit Says Dialysis Giants Davita, Inc. And Gambro Healthcare, Inc., Sought Fraudulent Reimbursements For Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars For Wasted Drugs, According To Atlanta Lawyers Lin Wood And Marlan Wilbanks
  Click here to view press release
• Davita, Served By UNC’s Roper On Board, Sued
  Click here for Triangle Business Journal article by Jason deBruyn, dated July 26, 2011
• Davita Cashed In On Waste, Ex-Workers Say 
  Click here for a Modern Healthcare srticle by Joe Carlson, dated July 26, 2011
• Dialysis Company Accused Of Drug Scam
  Click here for a Columbus Dispatch article by Andrew Pollack, dated July 27, 2011
• Lawsuit Alleges Fraud At Dialysis Company 
  Click here for bendbulletin.com article by Andrew Pollack, dated July 26, 2011

Columbia/HCA

Don McClendon was an executive Olsten management Company and as part of his job he worked directly with HCA.  While there, he learned that HCA was improperly using government dollars to for advertising under the guise of “community education”.  He provided this information as well as other allegations that the government relied on in settling […]

Additional Links:

• Largest Healthcare Fraud Case in U.S. History Settled, HCA Investigation Nets Record Total of $1.7 Billion
  Click here for the US Department of Justice Press Release dated June 26, 2003
• U.S. Joins Suit Alleging Fraud by Columbia/HCA Healthcare 
  Click here for a Wall Street Journal article dated December 31, 1998

Halifax Medical Center

Lawsuit was filed on behalf of Elin Balid-Kunz (“Ms. Kunz”) who gained inside knowledge from over 17 years of employment at Halifax Hospital and is presently the Halifax Director of Physician Services. In her whistleblower lawsuit, Ms. Kunz alleges that Halifax knowingly and intentionally submitted thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicare. Additionally, Ms. Kunz alleges […]

Additional Links:

• History-Making Halifax Whistleblower Speaks out for First Time Since Settlement
  WFTV, Channel 9, Orlando, Florida, August 6, 2014, by Lori Brown.
• Halifax Hospital Sanctioned by Courts for Destroying Records
  Daytona Beach News-Journal, June 4, 2014, by Skyler Swisher.
  
• Halifax Hospital Hit with Sanctions for Destroying Files Sought in Lawsuit
  Modern Healthcare, May 28, 2014, by Joe Carlson.
• Tax Watchdog Group Concerned Halifax Hospital Legal Fees Could Cost Taxpayers
  WFTV, Channel 9, Orlando, Florida, May 28, 2014, by Lori Brown.
• Judge Threatens Halifax Health with Sanctions
  Daytona Beach News-Journal, May 27, 2014, by Skyler Swisher.
• How are Your Physicians Compensated?  Stark Law + False Claims Act = Halifax Paying $85 Million
  National Law Review dated May 21, 2014, by Barbara E. Taylor, Esq., and Charles L. Kreindler, Esq.
• Wilbanks & Gouinlock Obtains Court Order for Costs and Fees from Defendant for Hospital’s “Reprehensible” Conduct
  Report and Recommendation by U. S. Magistrate Judge Thomas B. Smith filed May 8, 2014. 
• Halifax Health Whistleblower Lawsuit’s Next Focus:  Hospital Admissions
  Daytona News Journal dated April 16, 2014, by Skyler Swisher.
• Halifax Pays $85,000,000 to Settle Government Intervention as Part of Wilbanks & Gouinlock’ Client Case
  United States Department of Justice Press Release dated March 11, 2014.
• Halifax Caught Between Competing Pressures
  Joe Carlson for Modern Healthcare dated March 10, 2014.
• Florida Hospital Settles Part of Whistleblower Suit
  Barbara Liston for Reuters and Yahoo News dated March 3, 2014
• Halifax Health Settles Fraud Case
  Marni Jameson for the Orlando Sentinel, dated March 3, 2014
• Halifax Health Settles Part of Medicare Fraud Suit
  Skyler Swisher for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, dated March 3, 2014
• Halifax Settles for $85,000,00 on Kickback Claims
  WFTV Channel 9 in Orlando, Florida.
• $1 Billion Stark Case Against Florida’s Halifax Hospital Headed To Trial
  Modern Healthcare article by Joe Carlson, dated November 25, 2013.
• Judge Rules That Florida’s Halifax Hospital Has Paid Illegal Bonuses For Physician Referrals
  Lori Brown, Fox Channel 9 News, Orlando, Florida, dated November 14, 2013.
• Judge: Halifax Health Illegally Paid Doctors
  Skyler Swisher, Daytona Beach News-Journal dated November 14, 2013.
• Whistleblower Attorney: Halifax Health Destroyed Patient Records
  Skyler Swisher, Daytona Beach News-Journal dated October 14, 2013.
• Whistleblower: Halifax Health Sent Patients To Surgeries Like “Sending Lambs To Slaughter”
  Lori Brown, Channel 9 WFTV in Orlando, Florida, dated October 28,2013.
• Spinal Fusions Serve As Case Study For Debate Over When Certain Surgeries Are Necessary
  Peter Whoriskey and Dan Keating, Washington Post dated October 27 2013.
• Whistleblower Lawyer Blasts Destruction Of Halifax Hospital Records
  Orlando Sentinel dated October 24, 2013.
• Fighting Healthcare Fraud Using Whistleblower Statute Returns $20 For Every $1 Invested
  Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund (TAF Education Fund – www.taf.org).
• Millions Already Spent On Halifax Health Legal Fight
  Skyler Swisher, Daytona Beach News-Journal dated August 24, 2013.
• Halifax Hospital Allegations Heat Up As Whistleblower Lawsuit Goes Forward
  Skyler Swisher, Daytona Beach News-Journal dated August 14, 2013.
• Halifax Health Facing $1,000,000,000 Whistleblower Suit
  Lori Brown, Channel 9 WFTV, Channel 9, Orlando, Florida, July 8, 2013.
• Damages In Whistleblower Medicare Fraud Case Against Halifax Hospital Could Hit $1,000,000,000
  Marni Jameson, Orlando Sentinel article dated July 5, 2013.
• Channel 9 Investigates Halifax Health Overcharging Medicare/Medicaid
  Lori Brown, Channel 9, Orlando, Florida, June 11, 2013.
• Justice Department Seeks Up To $600 Million In Lawsuit Against Halifax
  Skyler Swisher, Daytona Beach News Journal dated June 3, 2013.
• Attorney-Client Privilege “Bombshell” Takes Center Stage In Halifax Stark Case
  Nina Youngstrum, Report on Medicare Compliance dated May 13, 2013.
• HALIFAX HOSPITAL IN FLORIDA WHISTLEBLOWER CASE MAKES HEADLINES AS GOVERNMENT JOINS LAWSUIT
  Orlando’s WFTX – Channel 9 interview with Marlan B. Wilbanks dated November 8, 2011.
  US Intervention Complaint in Florida Halifax Case originally filed by Wilbanks and Bridges.
  US Motion to Intervene and Judge’s Order Granting United States Motion to Intervene in Halifax Case.
  Complaint filed in U. S. District Court, Middle District, Orlando Division.
  Exhibits 1-14 of the Complaint.
  Exhibits 15-16 of the Complaint.
  Exhibits 17-23 of the Complaint.
  Defendant Halifax Hospital’s Motion to Dismiss Second Amended Complaint.
  Relator’s Response in Opposition to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Complaint.
  Defendant Halifax Hospital’s Consolidated Reply to Relator’s Opposition and the Department of Justice’s Statement of Interest.
  Relator’s Sur-Reply in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Complaint.
  Order Denying Dismissal of Relator’s Second Amended Complaint
• Some of the Highest Paid Physicians at Halifax Health Are at the Heart of a Federal Lawsuit
  Anne Geggis, Daytona Beach News-Journal dated September 18, 2011.
• Department of Justice Intervenes in Health Care Fraud Lawsuit Against Halifax Hospital
  United States Department of Justice Press Release dated September 9, 2011.
• Suit Alleges Halifax Overbilled Millions to Medicare
  Anne Geggis, Daytona Beach News-Journal dated April 17, 2011.

Olsten Corporation

Olsen Corporation case involved allegations of fraudulent billing, sales and marketing within home health agencies resulted in $61,000,000 in Government recovery.

Additional Links:

• Olsten Corporation and a Subsidiary Agree to Pay $61 Million in Criminal Fines and Civil Damages 
  Click here for the U.S. Department of Justice press release dated July 19, 1999
• Olsten settles fraud case
  Click here for a CNN Money article dated July 19, 1999
• Olsten Whistleblower’s Share: $9.8M
  Click here for a Daily Report article dated July 21, 1999

C. R. Bard and Proseed

C.R. Bard Inc., a multinational medical device company, agreed to pay the federal government $48.2 million to settle this whistleblower lawsuit that alleged its urological division and wholly owned subsidiary, ProSeed Inc., paid doctors and hospitals kickbacks to entice them to order Bard’s products at inflated prices to treat Medicare patients with prostate cancer.

Additional Links:

• Wilbanks & Gouinlock Client Settles Whistleblower Case With $48 Million Settlement
  Click Here for Daily Report dated Wednesday May 15, 2013.
• Adventist Repays Millions To Medicare
  Click Here for Orlando Sentinel article by Marni Jameson dated March 6, 2013.
• Adventist Health Can’t Dodge FCA Claim Of ER Overbilling
  Click Here for Law 360 article dated February 20, 2013.
• Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleges Adventist Hospital Filed Millions In False Claims
  Click here for Orlando Sentinel Article dated August 8, 2012.

JPMorgan Chase

JP Morgan Chase paid $45 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it cheated military veterans and taxpayers by hiding illegal fees in home refinancing mortgages impacting military veterans.  This lawsuit was filed by Wilbanks & Bridges on behalf of Victor Bibby and Brian Donnelly.  These whistleblowers worked in the mortgage refinance business and they […]

Additional Links:

• JPMorgan Chase to Pay $614 Million for Submitting False Claims for FHA-insured and VA-guaranteed Mortgage Loans 
  Click here for the U.S. Department of Justice press release dated February 4, 2014
• JPMorgan Chase Settles Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleging Fraud in Veteran Loans for $45 Million 
  Click here for PR Newswire article dated March 13, 2012
• JPMorgan settles military veterans mortgage lawsuit for $45M
  Click here for Housingwire article dated March 13, 2012
• JPMorgan Pays Feds $45M in Loan Fraud Settlement 
  Click here for Law 360 article dated March 13, 2012

Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta

Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta settled allegations brought by a Wilbanks & Bridges client for $26 million.  Tami Ramsey, a registered nurse and former hospital employee, filed thise whistleblower lawsuit based upon her allegations that Saint Joseph’s had not followed Medicare regulations determining whether a patient should be placed into inpatient or outpatient status.  This […]

Additional Links:

• Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta to Pay $26 Million to Settle False Claims Allegations 
  Click here for the U.S. Department of Justice press release dated December 21, 2007
• Saint Joes pays $26 million in lawsuit settlement 
  Click here for Atlanta Business Chronicle article dated December 21, 2007
• St. Joseph’s to pay $26 million in fraud case
  Click here for Dunwoody Crier article dated December 28, 2007

Shands Healthcare

W&G successfully prosecuted this qui tam against Shands Healthcare without government involvement.  The case alleged improper billing of Medicare and Medicaid for admitting patients to the hospital rather than treating them on an outpatient basis because the government pays more for services rendered on an inpatient basis.  The case settled in 2013 for $26,000,000.  

Additional Links:

• Shands “Tried To Hide” Billing Problems, Alleges Attorney Wilbanks
  Click Here for article by Kristine Crane, Gainesville Sun, dated August 24, 2013.