Corporate Whistleblower Center Urges Medical Device Sales Representatives with Proof of Kickbacks to Physicians to Call Them About a Recent Million Dollar Plus Reward

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America's Watchdog 6

Jul 01, 2014, 03:00 ET


(PRWEB) July 01, 2014 -- According to the Corporate Whistleblower Center, "A May 2014 US Department of Justice press release reported Medtronic Inc., of Fridley, Minnesota, have agreed to pay the United States $9.9 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that the company used various types of payments to encourage physicians to implant pacemakers and defibrillators manufactured and sold by Medtronic.

"Why is this a big deal? It is a big deal because anyone who is a medical device sales representative, with substantial proof of a medical device company paying off physicians can result in million dollar rewards. If you have substantial proof a medical device company is engaged in this type of activity, please call us at 866-714-6466, so we can carefully explain federal whistleblower reward programs to you. Aside from getting you to some of the nation's top whistleblower attorneys, we can (in specific cases) help the whistleblower package their information to ensure maximum reward potential." http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com

According to May 2014 court documents, the Justice Department alleged that Medtronic caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid by using multiple types of illegal kickbacks to induce physicians to implant Medtronic pacemakers and defibrillators. Specifically, Medtronic allegedly persuaded physicians to use its products by: 1) paying implanting physicians to speak at events intended to increase the flow of referral business; 2) developing marketing/business development plans for physicians at no cost; and 3) providing tickets to sporting events. The United States alleged that Medtronic paid the remuneration to persuade the physicians to continue using Medtronic products, or to convert their business from a competitor’s products.

In this instance, the whistleblower will receive approximately $1.73 million.

Simple rules for a whistleblower from the Corporate Whistleblower Center:

  • Do not go to the government first if you are a major whistleblower. The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “Major whistleblowers frequently go to the federal government thinking they will help. It’s a huge mistake.”
  • Do not go to the news media with your whistleblower information. Public revelation of a whistleblower’s information could destroy any prospect for a reward.
  • Do not try to force a government contractor, or corporation to come clean to the government about their wrongdoing. The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “Fraud is so rampant among federal contractors that any suggestion of exposure might result in an instant job termination, or harassment of the whistleblower. Come to us first, tell us what type of information you have, and if we think it’s sufficient, we will help find the right law firms to assist in advancing your information.”
  • The Corporate Whistleblower Center wants to emphasize there are high quality whistleblowers in every state including California, New York, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia,Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Any type of insider or employee who possesses significant proof of their employer or a government contractor defrauding the federal government is encouraged to contact to Corporate Whistleblower Center anytime at 866-714-6466 or via their web site at http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com

For attribution purposes please refer to the May 2014 United States Department of Justice press release on this matter:http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/May/14-civ-571.html

United States ex rel. Schroeder v. Medtronic, Inc., No. 2:09-cv-0279 WBS EJB (E.D. Cal.).

M Thomas Martin, America's Watchdog 6, http://CorporateWhistleblowerCenter.Com, +1 (866) 714-6466, [email protected]