Barrett Ahn

A collection of whistleblower advocacy organizations are warning Congress that a bill aimed at bolstering the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) through monies collected via False Claims Act (FCA) settlements may disadvantage whistleblowers. On April 18, Representative Wagner (R-MO) introduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act in collaboration with Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Jim Costa (D-CA).

On March 22, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani of the Southern District of Texas announced that a physician based in Houston agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle alleged violations of the False Claims Act (FCA). The allegations were brought forward by a qui tam complaint filed by multiple whistleblowers, who alleged that the physician, Dr. Mohammad Athari, had falsely submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid.

When I was little, I hopped from dream job to dream job: fashion designer, golden retriever breeder, stablehand. As I grew up, these professions changed to doctor, human rights lawyer, and writer. I used to feel some embarrassment when I admitted that last aspiration to others, but also to myself. It seemed too lofty, pretentious, and unrealistic, especially surrounded by Georgetown’s future big-dog consultants and state representatives.