Orthopedic Surgeon Must Pay $343,000 to Settle Allegations of False Claims Act Violations

4514 Cole Ave, #600 | Dallas, Texas 75205

Call Kardell Law Group 214-306-8045

Dr. Mark Stephen Wilson, an orthopedic surgeon based in Oklahoma, will pay the federal government nearly $343,000 to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations.

According to the Department of Justice, Wilson accepted illegal kickback payments from Brookhaven Specialty Pharmacy LLC.

Case background

DOJ attorneys stated Wilson knowingly accepted payments from Brookhaven Specialty Pharmacy from 2014 through 2016 in exchange for recommending and prescribing the company’s pain creams.

According to the DOJ press release, the pharmacy paid Wilson “medical director fees” based on an hourly rate. However, these fees were actually used as kickback payments to reward Wilson for his assistance. Wilson wrote these prescriptions for patients who were insured through the Federal Employees Compensation Act Program (FECA), which made it a violation of the False Claims Act.

Under the Act, it is illegal to either pay or receive so-called kickbacks. These anti-kickback laws exist to ensure financial motivations do not come ahead of quality and affordable patient care. The False Claims Act helps protect the integrity of taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and ensures taxpayer money is not wasted due to healthcare fraud.

Unfortunately, the U.S. government loses billions of dollars in healthcare fraud every year. Whistleblowers are in a unique position to bring this fraud to light and ensure those committing it are held responsible for their actions.

For more information about how you can blow the whistle on fraudulent activity, contact an experienced whistleblower lawyer at Kardell Law Group.

By Steve Kardell | Published May 12, 2022 | Posted in Fraud | Tagged False Claims Act, kickback scheme, kickbacks

Awards & Honors

Our Office

Dallas Office
4514 Cole Ave
#600
Dallas, Texas 75205
Phone: 214-306-8045
Fax: 469-729-9926

Testimonials

"Steve Kardell was terrific in representing me in some very adversarial discussions with Citigroup and also later represented me in my testimony before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission." -Richard Bowen, Citigroup Whistleblower
"Incredible knowledge of employee related concerns and equally brilliant knowledge of health care regulations, standards of practice. I would recommend this firm to anyone." -V.B.
"Reaching out to Steve Kardell was the best decision I made. His ability to provide immediate insight and direction was very powerful, and a huge relief during a very stressful time period. For anyone struggling with a whistleblower situation, I would highly recommend at least speaking with Steve. After a 10 minute call with him, I had a better understanding of what I was dealing with. Even better, he gave me some immediate hope. In the end Steve did a better job than I thought was possible. Steve was able to get in contact with people in my organization, that I didn’t have access to. Because of his years of experience, he already has contacts in many organizations in Dallas. The entire situation was handled peacefully. I was impressed by his ability to “keep the peace”–rather than creating a battle with the organization. The reason I didn’t reach out to a lawyer initially, was because I thought it would mean an immediate end to any hope of a positive relationship with the company. Steve was able to address my concerns, and in the end I was able to continue to work for them." -KS
"Never thought my career would end like it did after 30 years of service. I was part of the first round of the so called reduction of force. I asked myself how can I be part of this with 30 years of seniority. How did they pick these 90 plus employees? Now, the culture of this organization made you question every decision they made. It wasn’t what you knew it’s was a culture of who you know. Nonetheless, I did not accept their severance package. I immediately starting looking for an attorney who would take on my case. After the initial call to Steve I had hope again. He was open and honest about everything and reassured me he would do his best for me, and he did. I had an awesome outcome. Thanks Steve you’re the best." -S.S.