Multimillion Dollar Settlement Reached in Tampa, Florida Medicare Fraud Case

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Department of Justice announced today a settlement in Debra Maul, State of Texas, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Florida v. Ameritox, LLC et al., C.A. 08:07-cv-00953-t-26eaj.  This action was filed in May of 2007 in the U. S. District Court  in Tampa, Florida and alleged a number of violations of the federal False Claims Act by the laboratory Ameritox of Baltimore, Maryland.  The most significant allegations related to Ameritox's practice of paying physicians for each patient urine sample collected by the physician and sent to Ameritox for testing, as well as improper use of collectors in physicians' offices. The settlement requires Ameritox to pay $16.3 million in resolution of all issues.

The plaintiff, Debra Maul, worked for Ameritox as a Senior Sales Representative and tendered her resignation on May 31, 2006. Ms. Maul reported her concerns to both Ameritox and the OIG while still employed by Ameritox.  Attorney David J. Linesch of The Linesch Firm in Palm Harbor, Florida, represented Ms. Maul.  The Linesch Firm specializes in employment law and whistleblower cases.  

Mr. Linesch characterized Ms. Maul's role in the investigation and prosecution of the case as "exceptional."  Mr. Linesch relates that "the integrity shown by Ms. Maul serves as an example of what one person can do when they find themselves in this circumstance.  Medicare and Medicaid fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars.  Medical companies engaging in fraudulent activity have an unfair market advantage over companies who work hard to do the right thing.  Both Ms. Maul and I commend U. S. Attorneys Randy Harwell and Dick Nicholson for their exceptional work, as well as their colleagues across the country for the tremendous job they do every day.  We hope this case encourages others to report practices they believe to be fraudulent."

For further information, please contact Attorney David J. Linesch, The Linesch Firm, 700 Bee Pond Road, Palm Harbor, Florida, 34683. Telephone: (727) 786-0000. Email: [email protected]  Website:  www.lineschfirm.com

SOURCE The Linesch Firm