Hoyer Law Group, in partnership with counsel from Waters Kraus Paul & Siegelis, is pleased to announce its involvement in a False Claims Act case against Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., which led to a settlement in excess of $100 million.
Walgreens to Pay $106.8 Million for False Claims Act Violations
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) will pay $106.8 million to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act. The government accused Walgreens of billing health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid for prescriptions that customers never picked up, then reselling those prescriptions without reversing the original claims. This allowed Walgreens to collect payments twice for the same prescriptions.
Hoyer Law Group represented Lince Jacob, one of three whistleblowers involved in this settlement. The three whistleblowers filed separate False Claims Act cases in Florida, New Mexico and Texas. All three cases were investigated and resolved through coordinated efforts made by the Department of Justice.
Allegations of Fraudulent Billing
Between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens allegedly submitted these false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs. In response to the allegations, Walgreens improved its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent similar issues in the future and self-reported some of its actions. Walgreens also received credit for previously refunding $66.3 million related to these claims.
Government’s Commitment to Protecting Healthcare Programs
Government officials emphasized their commitment to protecting federal health care programs from fraud, ensuring that companies that commit fraud face consequences. They noted that these actions safeguard the integrity of programs like Medicare and Medicaid and protect taxpayer funds.
Hoyer Law Group Commends Whistleblowers
“Hoyer Law Group is proud to represent whistleblowers and recognizes the critical role they play in combatting fraud and recovering taxpayer money,” said Sean Estes, Partner. In this case, the firm represented Mr. Lince Jacob, a Walgreens pharmacist who discovered False Claims Act violations during the course of his employment. Mr. Jacob courageously came forward with his allegations and ultimately helped the government attain a very favorable outcome against a powerful corporation.
Ongoing Efforts to Combat Healthcare Fraud
The Justice Department, along with other federal agencies, led the investigation and resolution of these cases, demonstrating the government’s focus on combating healthcare fraud through tools like the False Claims Act.
Hoyer Law Group is a leading law firm specializing in whistleblower litigation, dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals who expose fraudulent activities. With a commitment to integrity and justice, our experienced team works tirelessly to ensure that whistleblowers receive the support and representation they deserve. For more information on this case and the work of Hoyer Law Group in whistleblower litigation, please contact us.
