SEATTLE – In part as a result of allegations brought to the Department of Justice by Hagens Berman client Dr. Robert Chinnapongse, today the Department of Justice announced that US WorldMeds LLC, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, agreed to pay $17.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, according to Hagens Berman, a law firm representing one of two whistleblowers involved in the matter.

Among the allegations brought in a federal False Claims Act lawsuit originally filed by Dr. Chinnapongse in 2014, included payment of kickbacks to physicians in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.

The False Claims Act authorizes whistleblowers to sue companies and individuals that defraud the government. These suits are filed under seal in federal court and investigated by the Department of Justice.

“We are grateful to represent Dr. Chinnapongse,” said Shayne Stevenson, partner and head of the whistleblower practice at Hagens Berman. “In addition to being a brilliant scientist, he’s also a deeply ethical doctor who stood up at great risk to do the right thing.”

Questions about becoming a False Claims Act whistleblower? FAQ »

Hagens Berman’s whistleblower attorneys have successfully represented multiple whistleblowers under the False Claims Act whistleblower program, including in the historic $1 billion settlement against Bank of America. The firm’s False Claims Act successes also include settlements against Amgen, Medtronic, and several other health care and pharmaceutical companies. The firm has also brought successful, innovative whistleblower claims under the CFTC and the SEC’s Dodd-Frank whistleblower programs that have led to record-breaking fines against large companies.

The whistleblower’s attorney, Hagens Berman partner and head of whistleblower practice, Shayne Stevenson, is available to speak regarding the implications of the case and other trends in whistleblower litigation. To schedule an interview, please contact the firm’s media contact, Heidi Waggoner, at 206-268-9363.

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a national law firm representing whistleblowers, with offices in nine cities. The firm’s tenacious drive for plaintiffs’ rights has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” and MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its whistleblower practice can be found atwww.hbsslaw.com/whistleblower. Follow the firm for updates and whistleblower news at @WhistleblowerHB.

Media Contact
Heidi Waggoner
[email protected]
206-268-9318