Most people think of a “kickback” as a shady bribe—like a secret payment for using a specific medical lab. But today, the most common type of fraud is much more subtle. It’s called “the nudge,” and it’s a major focus for whistleblowers and the government in 2026. What is “The Nudge”? In the past, a...
Recent court rulings are changing the rules for healthcare whistleblowers, particularly in cases involving “kickbacks”. If you’ve witnessed a system designed to “nudge” doctors toward certain expensive drugs or services, a major new legal decision from 2025—United States v. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals—may impact how those cases are handled. What Happened in the Regeneron Case? The government...
For decades, the False Claims Act (FCA) has been one of the government’s most potent weapons against fraud, driven largely by “qui tam” provisions that allow private whistleblowers (relators) to sue on the government’s behalf. However, a series of recent legal challenges as to the constitutionality of “qui tam” actions has brought these provisions into question. With the...
The fiscal year 2024 marked a groundbreaking period in the enforcement of the False Claims Act (FCA), with settlements and judgments exceeding $2.9 billion. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of whistleblower efforts and government initiatives in combating fraud and preserving taxpayer dollars. Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney...
In a notable False Claims Act resolution, R&K Enterprises Inc. (R&K), a company based in Newport News, Virginia, has agreed to pay more than $2.6 million to resolve allegations of misrepresenting its eligibility for small business set-aside contracts. This case pointed out opportunities to commit fraud within the programs set up to aid small businesses, showing...
In a significant move to combat the opioid crisis, K-VA-T Food Stores Inc., doing business as Food City, has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. government addressing allegations under the False Claims Act (FCA). The opioid fraud settlement will see Food City pay $8,488,378 to the United States and an additional $78,621 to the...
In a critical development against healthcare fraud, several Southern California-based clinics, a laboratory, and their owners have agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medi-Cal. The settlement in this case demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of federal healthcare programs and addressing violations involving kickbacks...
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently finalized its long-anticipated whistleblower program rule, an important step toward ensuring accountability and transparency within the automotive industry. Issued on December 5, 2024, the final rule implements the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, a law enacted in 2015 as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST)...
The recent move by Pennsylvania pharmacies to consolidate antitrust claims against GoodRx in the District of Rhode Island shines a light on the often murky and generally contentious relationships between pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and prescription discount platforms. For whistleblowers who know anything about the often-complex practices of PBMs, this case brings forth the...
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently released its Annual Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 2024, highlighting the significant achievements of its Whistleblower Program. The program is—and has been—a significant component in the protection of investors and maintaining market integrity through incentivizing reporting of possible violations of the securities laws by individuals. Top 5...











