NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A former employee of a domestic not-for-profit pediatric, rehabilitative and palliative care center alleges she was terminated for reporting unlawful practices.
Rhonda Lieberman filed a complaint on March 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center (ESPC) and Sisters of Charity Federation Inc. alleging retaliation.
According to the complaint, Lieberman was employed by ESPC as vice president of child and family services from October 2016 until her unlawful termination on Sept. 26, 2017, because of her complaints about ESPC's allegedly unlawful Medicaid patient admissions practices and billing practices. She alleges in January 2017 she learned "ESPC was not in compliance with the (Patient Review Instrument) and Screen requirements" required by federal and New York state law.
The plaintiff holds Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center and Sisters of Charity Federation Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly wrongfully retaliated against her for investigating and reporting the fraudulent practices.
The plaintiff seeks judgment for compensatory, punitive and special damages in an amount to be determined, plus prejudgment interest, costs of action, attorney's fees, and for such relief as the court deems just and proper. She is represented by Davida S. Perry and Daniel H. Kovel of Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP in New York.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York case number 1:18-cv-01963-PGG