The James Hoyer team at the TAF Awards Dinner
James Hoyer is honored to have been named Whistleblower Lawyers of the Year by the Taxpayers Against Fraud or “TAF.” TAF is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to combating fraud against the government and protecting public resources headquartered in Washington, D.C.
James Hoyer client Peggy Ryan, whistleblower in the off-label marketing case against Endo Pharmaceuticals, was also named Whistleblower of the Year. The Endo case resulted in a $192.7 million settlement for both criminal and civil charges that the company illegally marketed a pain treatment patch called Lidoderm.
“Together, Ryan and her legal team were instrumental in bringing a $193 million dollar case against Endo Pharmaceuticals to resolution, while notching an important victory in the battle for full, fair and justified whistleblower awards,” TAF wrote in its announcement of the award. (Click here to read details on the announcement on TAF’s website.)
Chris Hoyer Accepting Award
“This is an honor we are very proud to accept as advocates fighting to hold companies accountable when they commit fraud against the government,” said Chris Hoyer, founding partner of the James Hoyer law firm. “Too often, American citizens pay the price when companies try to game the system for profit. The False Claims Act gives whistleblowers the power to fight back on behalf of all taxpayers.”
Peggy Ryan was an Endo sales representative hired to sell Lidoderm, a pain patch approved to treat a shingles complication. She became concerned when the company pressured her to sell the drug off-label. Ryan took her concerns to the government in 2005 and assisted the investigation by turning over hundreds of documents and internal voicemails. She also agreed to wear a wire for the FBI, providing government investigators and prosecutors with more than 200 hours of recorded conversations, including incriminating statements by Endo management.
Ms. Ryan was humbled to receive this award. “It’s not an easy decision to become a whistleblower, but it’s even harder to look away when you know wrongs are being committed. Ten years was a long time to see this through, but it was important to do the right thing,” Ms. Ryan said.
“Peggy Ryan was a tireless advocate for the taxpayer,” Hoyer said. “The courage it takes for an
Adam, Chris & Jesse Hoyer
employee to come forward and risk her career to do the right thing is rare and something we all should celebrate.”
In announcing this year’s award, TAF also pointed to the decision by Judge Robert Kelly to award Ms. Ryan close to the maximum reward for her contributions. She received 24% of the civil portion of the settlement, which amounted to $33.6 million. The judge sent a message with his decision as to how important the role of a whistleblower can be in stopping fraud and returning money to the taxpayers. The judge noted the contributions of Ms. Ryan and her legal team in the Endo case were “nothing short of extraordinary.”
An internal documentary produced by the James Hoyer law firm on the Endo case was instrumental in moving the case forward. Watch the video below to see a video clip from the documentary.
More pictures from the awards dinner are below:
Al Scudieri & Elaine Stromgren
Chris Hoyer & Jillian Estes
Chris Hoyer, Angie Moreschi, Jesse Hoyer, Jillian Estes & Adam Hoyer
