Fraudfeasing LIBERTY AMBULANCE settles False Claims Act qui tam whistleblower case. (USDOJ press release)

Good work by USDOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Personnel Management, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, Office of Audit Services, the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Defense Health Agency Program Integrity Office. 

The Abraham Lincoln law was enacted during the Civil War to allow "relators" with knowledge of false claims to step into the shoes of our federal government and sue makers of false claims -- government contractors.  Wealthy corporations made fortunes selling "shoddy" blankets that fell apart, lame horses and non-functioning guns.  The Abraham Lincoln law was neutered as a condition of Corporate America's participation in World War II.  FCA was revived under President Reagan and has resulted in $56 billion in recoveries since 1986.

Florida has a state False Claims Act, but it does not apply to contracts with cities, counties or special taxing districts.   St. Johns County has in its legislative agenda book support for adding local government's to the Florida FCA, but refuses to make it a priority.  Republican bagman MARTIN FIORINTINO is SJC's conflicted lobbyist and also the lobbyist for Sheriff DAVID SHOAR f/k/a "HOAR," the CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, NOCATEE and other developers.  As they say in East Tennessee, "He bears watchin'."

No response when I speak at the two itty-bitty cities (St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach) about making one of their legislative priorities the removal of this gigantic loophole.  Wonder why?

I was reviled in a January 2008 meeting at St. Augustine Beach City Hall, I asked controversial Flagler College Chancellor and our Florida House then-Rep. WILLIAM L. PROCTOR about correcting this and two other defects in Florida law ripping off taxpayers, the Republican state representative openly, notoriously and publicly barked at me, "Sounds like you're asking me to endorse motherhood!" 

That was his unctuous, unkind, uncouth, uncivil ukase -- that was all that Massa Proctor said.

Believe it or not:  ten (10) years later, Flori-DUH law has still not been amended to cover cities, counties and special taxing districts.    

Wonder why?  

There's a lot of money in them thar no-bid inside government contracts, and the First Law of Economics is that "Them that has, gets."

Here's the USDOJ press release on LIBERTY AMBULANCE -- three cheers!

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

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United States Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Liberty Ambulance For $1.2 Million

Jacksonville, FL – Today, after a multiple-year investigation and the government’s intervention into a whistleblower suit in 2015, the United States announces a $1.2 million settlement with Liberty Ambulance. In reaching this settlement, the parties have resolved allegations that, from June 29, 2005, to January 2016, Liberty Ambulance knowingly up-coded claims for life support services from “Basic” to “Advanced” without justification, unnecessarily transported patients, and unnecessarily transported patients to their homes in an emergent fashion.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to taking the steps necessary to protect Medicare, TRICARE, and other federal healthcare programs from fraud and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “Whenever founded, our Office will vigorously pursue these cases and recover taxpayers’ money.”

“When health care providers participate in fraudulent billing schemes in order to increase profits, they steal from the pockets of the taxpayer and jeopardize federal healthcare programs,” said Shimon Richmond, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to be relentless in our efforts to hold such providers accountable.”  

“This settlement highlights the commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and its law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the Department of Defense (DoD) health care program,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office. “DCIS aggressively investigates health care providers that defraud the DoD, to preserve American taxpayer dollars intended to care for our Warfighters, their family members, and military retirees.”

Today’s settlement involved false claims submitted to Medicare, TRICARE, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program managed by the Office of Personnel Management. The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. This case was initiated by the filing of a qui tam lawsuit filed by Shawn Pelletier, a former employee of Liberty Ambulance. Mr. Pelletier collected more than $1.2 million in proceeds from prior settlements, and will receive approximately $264,000 from the present settlement with Liberty.

The government’s action in this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Personnel Management, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, Office of Audit Services, the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Defense Health Agency Program Integrity Office. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Shea Gibbons.