Author: Alex Hartzell

Alex Hartzell is an associate in the Dallas Trial group. Alex received his B.A. from Trinity University and his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.

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DOJ Secures FCA Settlement with Health Services Companies

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts recently secured a settlement agreement resolving allegations that Molina Healthcare, Inc. and its prior subsidiary, Pathways of Massachusetts, which provide mental health services in Springfield and Worcester, Massachusetts, violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”), 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq. and the Massachusetts-equivalent to the FCA. The settlement agreement also resolves similar claims brought by employees...

Healthcare Fraud Settlement Showcases Government’s Additional Focus on COVID-19-Related Fraud

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) last month announced a new blockbuster settlement agreement under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq (“FCA”), involving alleged violations of the Stark law and other efforts to defraud federal and state healthcare programs. The agreement also resolved the government’s allegations that the defendants—having allegedly engaged in healthcare fraud—further violated the FCA by obtaining a loan through...

More DOJ Double-Dipping PPP Fraud News

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) continues rolling out new settlement agreements related to COVID-19 fraud—highlighting the government’s and a common relator’s efforts to crack down on those alleged to have improperly received monies through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP” or “Program”). A new settlement agreement once again showcases these trends and illustrates the civil liability that businesses and individuals may face under the False Claims...

Latest PPP Fraud Settlement Showcases Civil and Criminal Penalties for Knowingly Submitting False Claims

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) continues racking up more settlement agreements under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq (“FCA”) with companies and individuals alleged to have improperly used funds received through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP” or “Program”). The latest PPP fraud settlement illustrates that attempts to fraudulently obtain forgiveness of PPP loans used for ineligible expenses invites potential liability under...

DOJ Announces More FCA Settlement Agreements Over PPP Fraud

Fresh off the new year, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) continues to announce new settlements under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq (“FCA”)—further cementing the trend of private parties suing borrowers for violating requirements of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP” or the “Program”). Two new FCA settlements were announced earlier this month involving relators’ allegations that borrowers made false statements when applying for...

Settlement Illustrates Continued Use of FCA to Combat PPP Fraud

The trend of private parties suing businesses under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq (“FCA”) for violating requirements of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP” or the “Program”) continues. Just recently, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a press release announcing its latest settlement in an FCA case involving Sextant Marine Consulting, LLC (“Sextant”) and a whistleblower named J. Bryan Quesenberry (“Relator”)....