San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2018 -- The Whistleblower Institute announces that Pine Creek Medical Center LLC reached a $7.5 million settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee over paying physicians kickbacks in exchange for surgical referrals.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute at mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com or call: 619-452–1218. There are no costs or obligations to you.

A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against Pine Creek Medical Center LLC.

The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed Pine Creek Medical Center LLC violated the False Claims Act by paying physicians kickbacks in the form of marketing services in exchange for surgical referrals.

According to the government, allegedly Pine Creek was involved in an illegal kickback scheme between 2009 and 2014 that involved the hospital paying for physicians' marketing and advertising services in exchange for patient referrals. Allegedly, Pine Creek paid for print, radio and television ads on behalf of physicians.

"Health care providers that attempt to profit from illegal kickbacks will be held accountable," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "Improper financial incentives can distort medical decision making and drive up healthcare costs for federal health care programs and their beneficiaries."

As part of the settlement, Pine Creek has agreed to enter into a corporate integrity agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, which obligates the defendants to undertake substantial internal compliance reforms for the next five years.

The whistleblowers, Suzanne Scott and Savannah Sogar, former employees of Pine Creek's marketing department, will receive $1,125,000.

Pine Creek Medical Center LLC is a private, physician-owned and operated hospital serving more than 3 million people in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding counties.

The Whistleblower Institute is an information portal for current or former employees and other people having insight information about wrongdoing and other illegal activities by individuals either individually or within corporations, through company culture and or within international affairs. Whistleblowers should keep in mind that under the Dodd-Frank Act any person who provides the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with original information that leads to a successful enforcement action with over $1 million recovered must be awarded between 10%-30% of the total amount recovered. In order to determine the total amount of the reward there are numerous factors that need to be considered. Whistleblower actions are complex and our goal is to guide any whistleblower every step of the way. The Whistleblower Institute is dedicated to partnering with any individual who have information about fraud and we work with many of the best law firms worldwide.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute.

Contact:
Whistleblower Institute
2534 State Street - Suite 406
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: +1 (619) 452–1218
Facsimile: +1 (619) 785 – 3185
Email: mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com

The material was prepared by the Whistleblower Institute for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. The information is provided only as general information which may or may not reflect the most currently available public information, is not provided as a basis for any established or existing relationship, and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice, or to substitute for obtaining such advice from an attorney or other advisor licensed in your state.