The U.S. Department of Justice is expanding its use of the False Claims Act (FCA) to address customs fraud and tariff evasion. In 2025, the DOJ, working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), intensified civil enforcement against companies accused of misclassifying imports, misrepresenting the country of...
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Can you get probation for federal charges?
Yes, you can get probation for federal charges in certain cases. However, federal probation is not common and depends heavily on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the nature of the offense, and your criminal history.
In federal court, probation is available only when the advisory guideline range permits it or when a judge determines that a...
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Why 2026 could be a pivotal year for False Claims Act jurisprudence
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued its year-end report for 2025, noting accomplishments of the civil cases filed under the False Claims Act (FCA), on January 16, 2026. Just a week earlier, the DOJ announced a new internal position tasked with overseeing criminal and civil fraud enforcement, reporting directly to the President.
2025 was...
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DOJ using False Claims Act to probe DEI practices at major companies
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has signaled a new enforcement priority under the False Claims Act (FCA): examining whether certain corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs comply with federal nondiscrimination requirements. According to recent reporting, the DOJ’s Civil Fraud Section is evaluating whether companies that do business with the federal government made...
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Emerging healthcare fraud schemes involving AI, deepfakes, and billing
AI and deepfakes are changing how healthcare fraud works by making false identities look routine. These tools let fraudulent activity pass through billing and compliance systems without immediately standing out. For organizations facing potential AI-enabled healthcare fraud exposure, a healthcare fraud lawyer can help assess legal risk and determine appropriate next steps.
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Staff credentialing and identity risk: lessons from the fake nurse case
Patients understandably assume that the nurses caring for them are properly licensed and qualified. But a recent criminal case involving a fake nurse shows how that assumption can break down when credentialing systems fail, creating serious risks for both patients and healthcare organizations.
When impersonation or false documentation appears in a clinical setting, the issue...
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Why wound care and skin substitutes are drawing federal enforcement attention
Federal investigators are watching wound care billing practices closely because Medicare and Medicaid costs linked to debridement, wound repair, and skin substitutes have risen in recent years. Providers who bill these services need to know that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are reviewing these claims more often,...
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Medicaid Telehealth Abuse: What We Can Learn from the Saginaw Physician Indictment
James Carthron, M.D., 61, of Saginaw, Michigan, faces 23 Medicaid criminal charges alleging fraudulent Medicaid billing for virtual visits that reportedly did not occur. The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division announced that each count could lead to financial penalties and up to four years in prison if he is convicted....
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Healthcare Fraud Enforcement Trends for 2025: What DOJ Is Prioritizing
Health care fraud enforcement is evolving rapidly in 2025. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommitted to its oversight of fraud and abuse in government-funded health programs. As part of its toolkit, artificial intelligence is increasingly used to detect suspicious billing patterns. And as investigations increase, health care providers are seeing heightened scrutiny...
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How to report healthcare fraud the right way
Healthcare fraud takes a toll on patients, taxpayers, and public programs like Medicare and Medicaid. In Georgia, it can also affect state-run systems such as PeachCare for Kids® and the State Health Benefit Plan. If you’ve witnessed suspicious billing, unnecessary testing, or illegal kickbacks, it’s natural to wonder how and where to report healthcare...
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