A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

Former NFL Player Charged for Role in $24 Million COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme

Joshua Bellamy, a former wide receiver for the New York Jets, has been charged for his alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $24 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Mr. Bellamy had allegedly taken part in a scheme with 10 other defendants who collectively filed at least 90 fraudulent loan applications. Mr. Bellamy obtained a PPP loan of $1.25 million which he used to buy more than $100,000 in luxury goods. To read the full story, click here for the New York Times article.

West Virginia Hospital to Pay $50 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

Wheeling Hospital, Inc., an acute care hospital, has agreed to pay the United States $50 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute. The hospital violated the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statutes by willfully paying improper compensation to referring physicians that was based on the volume or value of the physicians’ referrals. The settlement stems from a whistleblower complaint from a former Executive Vice President. The whistleblower will receive $10 million for his share of the recovery. To read the full story, click here.

Whistleblower Alleges Medical Neglect and Questionable Hysterectomies of ICE Detainees

Top congressional Democrats are calling for a federal investigation after a nurse who worked at an immigration detention center in Georgia filed a whistleblower complaint. The complaint alleged a lack of medical care that facilitated the spread of COVID-19 and that immigrant women received questionable hysterectomies. The whistleblower, Dawn Wooten, said she faced retaliation at the facility after she missed work while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. A group of 168 members of Congress have sent a letter urging DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari to investigate the allegations. To read the complete story, click here.

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