Schmidt
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a consent judgment on Wednesday with a New York environmental services company that allegedly falsely billed 13 Kansas towns and cities for services.
The consent judgment with Nationwide Environmental Services resolves allegations that the company violated the Kansas False Claims Act. Nationwide allegedly sent false billings to the cities for products that were never ordered and were not provided.
"This is part of our ongoing effort to protect Kansas taxpayers," Schmidt said. "We take that task seriously."
Under the terms of the judgment, Nationwide will refund approximately $10,600 to the thirteen communities and will pay for costs related to the case. Nationwide will pay $818.52 to the city of Ulysses, $130.26 to Paola and $548.02 to Mound Valley.
Other cities that will be reimbursed include Minneapolis with $129.16, Lucas with $129.16, Linwood with $129.16, Leoti with $465.92, Kanpolis with $427.62, Hoisington with $2,648.68, Hays with $2,243.90, Hardtner with $565.98, Concordia with $982.57 and Clay Center with $1,400.
Schmidt filed the consent judgment on Friday in Leavenworth County District Court. The agreement was approved by the court on Tuesday. Under the Kansas False Claims Act, Schmidt has the authority to recover public funds that should not have been paid from the public treasury of local governments or the state government.