News Notes: Medicare Fraud Whistleblower Gets Over $34 Million

A recent case provides a dramatic example of how great the financial incentive can be for employees to blow the whistle on their employer. Donald McLendon, a former health care executive, will receive over $34 million for giving the government information about unlawful billing and fraud by his former employer Olsten Corp. and hospital giant HCA-The Healthcare Company. Under federal law, whistleblowers can get up to a 25 percent share of the government’s recovery. McLendon’s award comes out of civil fraud fines levied against Olsten and HCA totaling $786 million, in addition to $95.3 million in criminal fines.