On March 16, 2018, a federal indictment was issued against 5 New York City doctors, who, between them, collected $800,000 in “speaking fees” from pharmaceuticul company Insys Therapeutics. The prosecutors allege that the speaking engagments were really “booze-filled social gatherings.” In addition to the cash, the pharmaceutical company also paid for the doctors’ meals, trips, Vegas weekends, and lap dances from strippers, to name a few of the “perks.” Though this was not a qui tam action, the conduct for which these doctors were indicted certainly falls within conduct prohibited under the anti-kickback provisions of the False Claims Act. To read more about this matter, see the attached link.
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