From a nurse suing a Washington health system over unpaid breaks to a Florida healthcare executive convicted in a $1.3 billion healthcare fraud case, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits making headlines.
1. Nurse sues Washington health system over unpaid breaks
A nurse at Bremerton, Wash.-based Harrison Medical Center filed a class-action lawsuit against Tacoma, Wash.-based Franciscan Health System, claiming the system fails to properly compensate employees for meal break.
2. Pipeline Health accused of defying court order to keep Illinois hospital open
Westlake Hospital staff and local leaders are accusing Los Angeles-based Pipeline Health of violating a court order to keep the Melrose Park, Ill.-based hospital open until May 1.
3. Pharmacy owner, pharmacist charged in $9.2M billing scheme
The owner of two pharmacies in Michigan and the pharmacist-in-charge at both facilities were charged April 9 for their alleged role in a $9.2 million billing scheme.
4. Ex-MetroHealth COO sentenced to 15 years for defrauding hospital
The former chief operating officer of Cleveland-based MetroHealth System was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the health system through a series of bribes and kickbacks.
5. Boston Children's Hospital sues Saudi prince over $3.5M bill
Boston Children's Hospital filed a lawsuit against a Saudi Arabian prince, alleging he owes the hospital $3.5 million, which he agreed to pay, for care provided to a Saudi Arabian child.
6. 7 found guilty in $40M Texas hospital kickback case
Seven out of nine defendants were convicted April 9 for their roles in a bribery and kickback scheme involving now-defunct Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas.
7. Feds charge 24 in $1.2B telemedicine fraud scheme
Top executives from telemedicine companies and the owners of durable medical equipment companies were among 24 defendants charged for their alleged participation in a healthcare fraud scheme that resulted in more than $1.2 billion in losses.
8. Florida healthcare exec convicted in $1.3B fraud case
Philip Esformes, who operated a network of more than 30 skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida, was found guilty April 5 of 20 charges, including paying and receiving kickbacks, money laundering and bribery.
9. Former CEO of pain clinic chain guilty in kickback scheme
The former CEO of Brentwood, Tenn.-based based Comprehensive Pain Specialists was found guilty April 4 for his role in a kickback scheme.
10. Ex-Florida hospital director gets prison time for role in $1B fraud scheme
The former director of outreach programs at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, Fla., was sentenced to 15 months in prison April 3 for her role in a $1 billion healthcare fraud scheme.
11. Biotech accuses Dr. Soon-Shiong of orchestrating a 'catch and kill' scheme to protect cancer drug
A California biotech claims that billionaire biotech entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, orchestrated a "catch and kill" scheme to stop development of an experimental cancer drug that may have saved the U.S. healthcare system more than $1 billion.
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