Whistleblower Blog Archives - Page 2 of 36

Whistleblower Blog

Tax Fraud & Tax Evasion Among Medicaid Providers: New IRS Whistleblower Program Fills Gap in False Claims Act for Whistleblowers and Their Attorneys

December 3, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Two important topics of this whistleblower lawyer blog are addressed in a recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) Report on tax cheating by Medicaid providers. The Report shows the wisdom of the new IRS Whistleblower Program, which fills a “gap” in the coverage of the major whistleblower statute, the False Claims Act.

GAO reports that thousands of Medicaid providers collect large amounts of federal dollars each year, while cheating the government by failing to pay taxes owed–usually payroll taxes and personal income taxes.
(more…)

False Claims Act “Qui Tam” Whistleblower Cases Recover More Than $1 Billion In Latest Year, Justice Department Announces

November 13, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Once again displaying the effectiveness of the False Claims Act in combating government fraud, the Justice Department has announced that it recovered $2 billion in fraud cases in the latest fiscal year that ended September 30, 2007. Qui tam whistleblower cases under the False Claims Act accounted for at least $1.45 billion of those recoveries, with the whistleblowers (or “relators’) sharing in those recoveries.

In all but one year since 2000, False Claims Act cases have generated at least $1 billion in
(more…)

IRS Whistleblower Regulations & “Guidance” for Whistleblower Attorneys from the IRS

November 12, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Anticipating the new IRS Whistleblower Program regulations that are due by the December 20, 2007 first anniversary of the new IRS Whistleblower Program, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel has just issued a Notice on “Coordination of Section 7623 Whistleblower Claims in the Tax Court.”

As discussed extensively on this whistleblower lawyer blog, one of the major features of the new IRS Whistleblower Program is that whistleblowers who meet the program’s criteria now have an enforceable right to share in money
(more…)

IRS Whistleblower Program: Hedge Funds and Private Equity Firms Under Increasing IRS Scrutiny for Tax Abuses

November 5, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Continuing this whistleblower lawyer blog’s discussions of the IRS’s strong interest in hedge funds and private equity firms, there have been several recent public statements and reports about IRS efforts to identify and stop tax fraud and tax noncompliance in these segments of the financial services industry.

Today, suspected tax abuses by hedge funds and private equity managers were the subject of a Tax Notes report, which cites a November 1, 2007 statement by the IRS. That same day, Bloomberg reported that
(more…)

TRICARE Medical Fraud Report–Whistleblower Attorneys Take Note that Health Care Fraud Continues to Plague Government

November 2, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Fraud affecting health care is a frequent topic of our whistleblower lawyer blog. A new report on TRICARE, the U.S. Military’s health care system, shows that medical fraud continues, as honest whistleblowers and their lawyers continue the fight against government fraud.

More than 200 “qui tam” whistleblower cases were mentioned in the annual report of the Program Integrity Office of TRICARE, and more than 200 whistleblower cases have been brought each year since 2002.

The Report outlines numerous types of (more…)

False Claims Act Whistleblower Case to Be Decided By Supreme Court

October 31, 2007
Michael Sullivan

This week, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a False Claims Act whistleblower case filed against the General Motors Corporation and its former division, Allison Engine Company. The alleged fraud concerns subcontracts for building parts for the U. S. Navy’s guided missile destroyers. Each of the 50 destroyers in question costs the taxpayers over $1 billion.

At issue in this case is an argument being made by the defendants that the whistleblower and the government cannot attack the alleged fraud scheme under
(more…)

Qui Tam Whistleblower in False Claims Act Case Receives $7.3 Million in False Claims Case

October 29, 2007
Michael Sullivan

From time to time on this whistleblower blog we report cases of significance involving successful whistleblower claims filed under the federal False Claims Act. We read about such a case today in the news involving a $28 million settlement with National Air Cargo. It appears that the government determined that National Air Cargo had billed the government $4.4 million for various military shipments delivered by that company between the calendar years 1999 and 2005. The false claim was that National Air Cargo had billed
(more…)

IRS Tax Evasion & Stock Options Fraud Lead to Prison Sentence for Options Administrator

October 24, 2007
Michael Sullivan

On this whistleblower lawyer blog, we have written previously about abuse of stock options–and how the IRS has declared that tax fraud and evasion from back-dating of stock options is a “Tier I” priority. Now, stock option fraud and income tax evasion will send a former stock options administrator to prison for almost four years.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that Vencent Donlan was sentenced in a California federal court to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire
(more…)

False Claims Acts and Unauthorized Laboratory Tests

October 23, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Our whistleblower lawyer blog attorneys have written extensively about Georgia’s enactment of the new State False Medicaid Claims Act, a new whistleblower law that an attorney with our law firm helped enact. This qui tam whistleblower law has applicability to anyone who files a false or fraudulent claim for reimbursement with the State’s Medicaid program.

A classic example of this would be filing false claims for reimbursement for unnecessary and/or unauthorized laboratory tests. If a health care provider submits
(more…)

Revenue Recognition Fraud Charges Lead Nortel Networks Agrees to Pay $35 Million

October 23, 2007
Michael Sullivan

Accounting fraud can create liability for violating the securities laws and IRS tax rules and regulations. This whistleblower lawyer blog regularly comments on cases of interest, as whistleblowers often play an important role in bringing the violations to light.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has announced civil fraud charges against Nortel Networks Corp. and Nortel Networks Ltd., alleging improper revenue recognition by Nortel between 2000 and 2003, designed to make the company look appear more profitable. Nortel agreed to pay
(more…)

Search

Topics

Our Other Blog

How Much Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

February 16, 2026
Finch McCranie, LLP

Wrongful death lawsuit compensation in Georgia is based on the full value of the life of the person who passed away due to another party’s negligence.

When a family loses a loved one in a preventable accident, the emotional loss is overwhelming.

At the same time, financial pressures often intensify due to lost income, medical bills, and funeral expenses.

Georgia law allows certain family members to pursue compensation for death by negligence. The amount recovered depends on multiple legal, financial, and factual factors.

(more…)

Navigating Truck Accident Lawsuits: Product Liability & Medical Malpractice

April 24, 2024
Finch McCranie, LLP

In the realm of personal injury law, few incidents carry the potential for devastation, quite like truck accidents. These collisions often result in severe injuries, significant property damage, and, tragically, loss of life. When such accidents occur, victims and their families are thrust into a complex legal landscape where multiple factors may contribute to the incident’s cause and subsequent liability.

Understanding Truck Accident Lawsuits

(more…)

10 questions to ask before hiring a truck accident lawyer

(more…)

Register for 2024 “Whistleblower Law Symposium”–Live Event (Virtually) on March 13

March 11, 2024
Michael Sullivan

For many years, Michael Sullivan of our firm and his colleague Jim Breen have organized the “Whistleblower Law Symposium.” It has consistently received high marks from participants.

This year’s Symposium will be available either in-person or online on Wednesday, March 13, starting at 815 am EDT. It offers 7.5 CLE hours, including 1 Ethics hour and 4 Trial Practice hours. Cost is $279.

You can register (and see the full Agenda) here: atlantabar.org/…. Topics include:

(more…)

The Silent Battle: How to Win Your Medical Negligence Lawsuit

January 9, 2024
Finch McCranie, LLP

Medical negligence lawsuits can be daunting, but understanding the intricacies of the legal process is crucial for success.

In this guide, we’ll navigate the silent battle of medical negligence lawsuits, shedding light on critical aspects, strategies, and tips to help you emerge victorious.

Understanding Medical Negligence

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the standard of care, harming the patient.

It’s essential to recognize the signs and understand that not all medical complications result from negligence.

(more…)

Hiring the Right Advocate: A Guide to Medical Negligence Attorneys in Atlanta

December 3, 2023
Finch McCranie, LLP

Pursuing justice in medical negligence cases in Atlanta requires a skilled legal ally.

Finding the right attorney is crucial when you or a loved one has experienced harm due to medical malpractice.

A Medical Negligence Attorney in Atlanta can be the key to navigating the complex legal terrain and securing the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Medical Negligence

(more…)

Wall Street Journal Begins Examining IRS Violations Exposed by Mormon Whistleblower Regarding Ensign Peak Advisors, Inc.

June 30, 2023
Michael Sullivan

After reporting on the SEC’s investigation and findings of 20 years of “misstatements” by the LDS Church and Ensign Peak Advisors, Inc., the Wall Street Journal‘s Jonathan Weil again reports on facts revealed by our SEC and IRS whistleblower submissions on behalf of our client, David Nielsen. Mr. Nielsen exposed violations of law relating to a what he called a “clandestine hedge fund” affiliated with the Mormon Church, in his recent appearance on 60 Minutes.

Turning to IRS violations, this WSJ article addresses in part why, “[o]n its 2007 return, Ensign Peak put down ‘1,000,000’ for its total assets. The real number was about $38 billion, an Ensign Peak document shows.”

(more…)

On 60 Minutes, LDS Church admits “bailout” of for-profit business by Ensign Peak – which shows Ensign Peak cannot be tax-exempt.

May 16, 2023
Michael Sullivan

Regarding this past Sunday’s 60 Minutes interview of our client David Nielsen,

Mormon blows whistle on church’s alleged “clandestine hedge fund”

(https://www.cbsnews.com/60-minutes/ ):

Please see attached Statement,

which is also reprinted below.

(more…)

60 Minutes Interviews Our IRS & SEC Whistleblower Client David Nielsen: “Mormon Blows Whistle on Church’s Alleged ‘Clandestine Hedge Fund'”

May 16, 2023
Michael Sullivan

On Sunday, May 14, 60 Minutes featured an interview with our IRS and SEC whistleblower client David Nielsen.

My colleague Richard Rubin and I are proud to represent this principled whistleblower.

#cbs #60minutes #whistleblower #finchmccranie #secwhistleblower #irswhistleblower #ensignpeak

(more…)

Amid Bank Bailouts, SEC Whistleblower Improvements Urged by Senators Grassley & Warren

March 17, 2023
Michael Sullivan

In this week of new bank bailouts (following Silicon Valley Bank’s), a bipartisan group of five Senators has urged common sense improvements to the SEC Whistleblower laws. These Senators emphasize the “crucial role of whistleblowers” in protecting both investors and taxpayer funds.

(more…)