News from February 2015
Iowa AG joins challenge against US Foods, Sysco merger
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller joined in on the fight to stop US Foods and Sysco from merging on Thursday.
NY school districts to remove citizenship inquiries from enrollment forms
20 New York school districts agree to remove barriers to education for undocumented students
Chicago doctor paying almost $4M after plea, settlement over clozapine kickbacks
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A Chicago physician will pay the United States and State of Illinois $3.79 million for taking kickbacks from two pharmaceutical companies in exchange for prescribing an anti-psychotic drug to his patients, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.
Miss. SC: Power company customers due a refund; utility says it wants rehearing
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that more than 180,000 Mississippi Power Company customers be granted refunds for a rate increase that was wrongly approved by the state’s Public Service Commission in 2013.
Hospice settles New York attorney general's billing allegations
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Compassionate Care Hospice of New York, LLC. reached a settlement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Wednesday over allegations that it submitted false claims to the state’s Medicare and Medicaid program.
Bourbon drinker sues Jim Beam for alleged false advertising
A San Diego County man sued Jim Beam, alleging deceptive business practices and advertising.
Three importers paying more than $3M to settle DOJ's False Claims Act suit
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that three import companies have agreed to pay more than $3 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the government alleging illegal import practices.
UPS sued by New York over alleged shipment of untaxed cigarettes
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) was sued by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday over allegations that the package delivery company shipped approximately 700,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes in the state.
N.Y. furniture company pays $10K civil fine over going-out-of-business sale
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - HQ Home reached a settlement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Wednesday after the furniture company allegedly deceived customers with false and misleading advertising.
False Claims Act allegations result in $150K recovery for Mo. AG Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - DEW D Services, LLC will pay a settlement to Missouri after the health care provider allegedly submitted false claims to the state's Medicaid program, Attorney General Chris Koster said on Wednesday.
Ohio AG wants Amphastar to give rebates from purchases of heroin overdose drug
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine recently asked Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to provide rebates to government agencies that purchased the drug naloxone after the company allegedly hiked its prices for the heroin overdose drug.
New Jersey legal actions brought in $346M in 2014
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Division of Law hauled in more than $346 million from legal settlements and judgments in 2014, Acting Attorney General John Hoffman said on Wednesday.
Illinois physician to pay $3.79 million for accepting kickbacks
Illinois physician, Dr. Michael Reinstein, will pay the United States and Illinois $3.79 million for taking kickbacks from two pharmaceutical companies in exchange for prescribing an anti-psychotic drug to his patients, the U.S.
Miss. attorneys encouraging lawsuits through deceptive advertising, nursing home chain claims
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys for a Portsmouth, Ohio-based nursing home facility have filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court attacking Mississippi law firm McHugh Fuller Law Group for its efforts to “encourage” tort litigation against the facility.
Compassionate Care Hospice allegedly defrauded Medicaid, Medicare
Compassionate Care Hospice settled allegations that it submitted false Medicaid and Medicare claims.
DOJ settles with aluminum import companies for $3 million
Three import companies have agreed to pay more than $3 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the DOJ alleging illegal import practices.
New Jersey's AG office brings in more than $346 million in 2014
The New Jersey Division of Law hauled in more than $346 million from legal settlements and judgments in 2014
Ohio AG asks manufacturer to make heroin overdose drug more affordable
Ohio attorney general recently asked Amphastar Pharmaceuticals to provide rebates for the purchase of naloxone.
DEW D Services to pay for alleged Medicaid fraud
DEW D Services allegedly submitted false claims to Missouri's Medicaid program.
NY furniture company allegedly misled consumers with false advertising
HQ Home reached a settlement with New York after it allegedly deceived customers with false and misleading advertising.