The government recovered nearly $2.6 billion from the health-care industry in 2017, much of it thanks to whistle-blowers.

To become a whistle-blower, Darren Sewell had filed what is known as a “qui tam” complaint—the term comes from a Latin phrase that translates as “he who brings an action for the king as well as for himself.” Qui-tam cases are brought under the False Claims Act, a law passed in 1863, under President Lincoln, in response to war profiteers peddling defective weapons and ailing mules to the Union Army. The law allows private citizens to file suit on behalf of the government against anyone believed to be defrauding the government. The vast majority of these cases involve health care.

The False Claims Act was strengthened in 1986, after a push by Senator Charles Grassley, of Iowa. Whistle-blowers can now share between fifteen and twenty-five per cent of the recovery, depending on such factors as the importance of their contribution. read more »

Nissan says it is target of SEC inquiry after report of exec pay probe

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s microscope is now focused on Nissan Motor in the widening probe into the automaker and its former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan acknowledged the inquiry into alleged financial misconduct. read more »

Barclays boss was 'up at 2am' over bonus

A senior banker at Barclays panicked at 02:00 at the peak of the 2008 banking crisis that, if the bank was nationalised, his bonus would be jeopardised, a court has heard.

Barclays was among banks needing extra funding during the crisis.

Roger Jenkins discussed with colleagues a plan to raise money privately, to avoid having to accept taxpayer money.

A bailout deal from the government would have meant extra disclosure of executive bonuses.

The bank later raised money from Middle Eastern investors and avoided a government bailout. read more »

Ex-employees sue defense contractors Fluor and KBR in multi-million dollar fraud claim

A group of six veterans is suing two military contracting companies, claiming they overcharged the government hundreds of millions of dollars for work in Afghanistan.

Fluor Corp., which provides services at 70 forward operating bases in northern Afghanistan, was served with the lawsuit this month after a five-year investigation. Former Halliburton Corp. subsidiary KBR, a Houston-based military contractor, was also named in the suit and served notice this month.

The allegations of fraud were brought forward by former Fluor employees. The group sued under a federal law that allows private plaintiffs to file whistleblower cases on behalf of the government. The plaintiffs could receive 30 percent of any funds the government might recover. read more »