legal representation for U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations

Florida Woman Who Performed Illegal Silicone Injections Sentenced After “Patient’s” Death

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On May 26, 2017, a Sanford, Florida, woman who performed illegal cosmetic silicone injections was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. According to prosecutors, the illegal procedures done by Deanna Roberts, led to serious health problems and the death of a prominent night club performer.
Illegal Injections.

From reports, Deanna Roberts bought about 178 gallons of non-medical grade liquid silicone between 2004 and 2015. She apparently told officials checking on this that she used the substance to lubricate medical equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Despite what she told officials, prosecutors said she falsely […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:38-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Alabama Doctor and 3 Nurse Practitioners Charged With Running Fraudulent Pill Mill

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 6, 2017, three nurse practitioners and a doctor were arrested following an Alabama federal grand jury indictment accusing them of operating a “pill mill.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), all four allegedly dispensed controlled substances inappropriately, unlawfully and for non-medical reasons.

The Alleged Pill Mill.

The nurse practitioners and physician allegedly prescribed opioids including fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone and hydromorphone on a monthly basis for years, according to the indictment. They then allegedly billed health care providers for related unnecessary patient examinations.

“[The four defendants] did knowingly and intentionally conspire to distribute […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:42-04:00May 15, 2018|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Florida Woman Who Performed Illegal Silicone Injections Sentenced After “Patient’s” Death

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On May 26, 2017, a Sanford, Florida, woman who performed illegal cosmetic silicone injections was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. According to prosecutors, the illegal procedures done by Deanna Roberts, led to serious health problems and the death of a prominent night club performer.
Illegal Injections.

From reports, Deanna Roberts bought about 178 gallons of non-medical grade liquid silicone between 2004 and 2015. She apparently told officials checking on this that she used the substance to lubricate medical equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Despite what she told officials, prosecutors said she falsely […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:45-04:00May 15, 2018|Dental Law Blog|

DOJ Releases 2016 False Claims Act Recovery Statistics: Third Highest Annual Recovery Ever

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 14, 2016, the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released its annual False Claims Act (FCA) recovery statistics. It revealed that the DOJ obtained more than $4.7 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the government in fiscal year 2016. What this indicates to me is that, if all of these cases had been brought by individual relators, those relators could have shared in as much as $1.41 billion as their personal reward for the relator’s part of the recoveries. A whistle blower can receive […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:52-04:00May 15, 2018|Mental Health Law Blog|

Miami Woman Gets 4 Years in Prison for Illegal Silicone Injection Scheme

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On September 20, 2017, a Florida federal judge sentenced a Florida woman to more than four years in prison for her part in a conspiracy to inject non-medical silicone into the buttocks of hundreds of spa customers. U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams handed down the sentence to Magaly Del Rosario, who pled guilty for her part in the scheme to purchase “misbranded” silicone from Colombia and inject it into her “patients.” The “patients” were seeking “buttocks augmentation” at the Bella Beauty Spa in Miami between 2008 and 2015, according to court documents.

The Scheme.

Prosecutors […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:00-04:00May 15, 2018|Nursing Law Blog|

What You Should Know Before Dabbing Into the Risks of Marijuana-Related Mergers and Acquisitions

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

As public support grows for the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. and Canada, mergers and acquisitions lawyers should be studying up now on the ins and outs of cannabis compliance. In the U.S., there are 29 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, which have all legalized medical marijuana. In addition, there are nine states including Colorado and Massachusetts have recently legalized the drug for recreational use.

As a result, there is expected to be a serious increase in marijuana-related mergers and acquisitions activity. Now is the time for lawyers […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:03-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law|

Jeff Sessions Threatens Legalized Marijuana by Reversing Obama-Era Policy

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On January 4, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions rolled back an Obama-era policy of refraining from prosecuting marijuana businesses and individual users in states that have legalized the drug for medicinal or recreational use. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this, calling the move a “return to the rule of law.”

Marijuana Criminalization.

Jeff Sessions announced the decision in a memo sent to all U.S. attorneys that highlighted marijuana’s continued criminalization under federal law. In the memo, he labeled previous DOJ guidance discouraging enforcement as “unnecessary” and “rescinded, effective immediately.”

“It is the mission of the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:13-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law|

Florida’s First Green Bank Cuts Business Ties with Medical Marijuana Money

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

When Florida’s medical marijuana industry was first starting to grow, business owners faced a big dilemma: Where could they find a bank to take their millions of dollars? The federal government still considers marijuana an illegal substance without medicinal value, so most banks haven’t been willing to take the industry’s money. Because of federal regulations, the businesses also cannot accept credit cards for payment, as well, making it difficult for patient to obtain medical marijuana by mail.

Despite this, First Green Bank, a Central Florida community bank that doesn’t require a federal charter, came to the rescue. […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:13-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law|

DOJ Releases 2016 False Claims Act Recovery Statistics: Third Highest Annual Recovery Ever

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 14, 2016, the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released its annual False Claims Act (FCA) recovery statistics. It revealed that the DOJ obtained more than $4.7 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the government in fiscal year 2016. What this indicates to me is that, if all of these cases had been brought by individual relators, those relators could have shared in as much as $1.41 billion as their personal reward for the relator’s part of the recoveries. A whistle blower can receive […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:28-04:00May 15, 2018|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Jeff Sessions Threatens Legalized Marijuana by Reversing Obama-Era Policy

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On January 4, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions rolled back an Obama-era policy of refraining from prosecuting marijuana businesses and individual users in states that have legalized the drug for medicinal or recreational use. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this, calling the move a “return to the rule of law.”

Marijuana Criminalization.

Jeff Sessions announced the decision in a memo sent to all U.S. attorneys that highlighted marijuana’s continued criminalization under federal law. In the memo, he labeled previous DOJ guidance discouraging enforcement as “unnecessary” and “rescinded, effective immediately.”

“It is the mission of the Department of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:28-04:00May 15, 2018|Mental Health Law Blog|