False

Court Rules Against Whistleblower in AbbVie Case: Regulatory Concerns Fall Short of False Claims Act Protection

by

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Lewis against AbbVie Inc., previously known as Allergan. The court found that Lewis’s claims did not meet the necessary criteria under the False Claims Act, which addresses fraud against government programs. The case, officially designated as 24-3121, was initiated by Lewis in response to concerns he raised internally regarding AbbVie’s regulatory practices. However, the appeals court determined that these communications did not demonstrate any allegations of fraud, which is a key component for … Read more

Jury Awards $60 Million in Landmark Case Against Disgraced Prosecutor Over False Abuse Charges

by

DETROIT — A federal jury awarded nearly $60 million to a man wrongfully charged with sexual abuse after finding that a former Michigan prosecutor and a police officer acted with malice in pursuing the case. The jury’s decision underscores the challenges of holding public officials accountable in the legal system, where such lawsuits are uncommon due to significant protections for prosecutors. The jury concluded that Brian Kolodziej, a former assistant attorney general, and state police Lt. David Busacca acted with “intentional, deliberate, or reckless disregard for the truth” in their actions against Sean MacMaster. The … Read more

Judge Reduces Major False Advertising Verdict Against Natera, Company Plans Appeal

by

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge has reduced a substantial jury award against Natera, a cancer screening company, but declined to grant the firm’s request for a new trial. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen decreased the jury’s original award of $292.5 million for false advertising by $5.5 million on Monday. Following the court’s decision, Natera announced plans to appeal. The case stems from a ruling made by a jury in San Francisco last year, which found in favor of Guardant Health, determining that Natera should compensate its competitor with $75 million in future damages and … Read more

Grand Jury Declines Assault Indictment Against Man Following Troubling Suicide Attempt; Charges Him with False Statement Instead

by

Athens, Georgia — A grand jury in Clarke County has refused to indict a man accused of assaulting a police officer after he allegedly attempted suicide. Instead, the jury charged 30-year-old Tommy Lee Orr with making a false statement during the police encounter, specifically for claiming he had a weapon when he did not. The incident occurred on March 5, when Orr’s mother contacted emergency services, expressing concerns for her son’s safety and revealing he was suicidal. She tracked his vehicle to the Microtel Inn & Suites located on Ultimate Drive, where the police found … Read more