Hodgson russ helps clients in largest-ever false claims act settlement

Hodgson Russ Helps Clients in Largest-Ever False Claims Act Settlement in Risperdal Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson HODGSON RUSS CLIENTS AMONG WHISTLEBLOWERS Mr. Oliverio continued, “This settlement, which is the largest FCA relator share settlement in history, follows on the heels of another whistleblower suit, in which we served as lead The Justice Department announced that Johnson & Johnson counsel, that resulted in the largest FCA settlement in West- will pay $1.273 billion to the federal government and most ern New York history. I am incredibly proud of the work our states to settle a civil False Claims Act investigation into its team is doing to support our clients in these matters.” off -label marketing of its antipsychotic drug Risperdal. J&J will settle a criminal investigation into the matter for an additional In addition to serving as the chairman of Hodgson Russ, Mr. Oliverio also leads the fi rm’s False Claims Act and Business Crimes, Regulatory Off enses & Corporate Investigations Two of the J&J whistleblowers are represented by a Hodgson Russ team led by Daniel C. Oliverio. Other team members were Joseph V. Sedita and Robert J. Fluskey, Jr.
Risperdal, once J&J’s best-selling drug, was approved by the FDA in 1993 for psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. According to documents fi led with the court, the company also sought to sell Risperdal for unapproved uses that in-cluded bi-polar disorder, dementia, and mood and anxiety disorders, among others.
Aft er the local case against J&J was fi led in Western New York in 2004 for its off -label marketing of Risperdal, the federal government consolidated this case in Philadelphia with four other similar cases related to Risperdal marketing. In False Claims Act cases like this one, whistleblowers are entitled to a share of the proceeds; the two whistleblowers represented by Hodgson Russ will share in 15 percent of the settlement awards.
Mr. Oliverio said, “As one of only a few major law fi rms to have experience successfully representing corporate clients in defending complex whistleblower litigation as well as select whistleblowers, we feel we were exceptionally well positioned to represent our remarkable clients in this case.” 677 Broadway, Suite 301, ALBANY, NY 12207 518.465.2333The Guaranty Building, 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100, BUFFALO, NY 14202 716.856.400060 Railroad Place, Suite 300, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866 518.736.29001540 Broadway, 24th Floor, NEW YORK, NY 10036 212.751.4300450 Royal Palm Way, 6th Floor, PALM BEACH, FL 33480 561.656.8608150 King Street West, Suite 2309, P.O. Box 30, TORONTO, ON M5H 1J9 Canada 416.595.5100 Practice restricted to U.S. law Periodic publications of Hodgson Russ LLP are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specifi c facts or circumstances. Information contained in these publications may be inappropriate to your particular facts or situation. Please consult an attorney for specifi c advice applicable to your situation. Hodgson Russ is not responsible for inadvertent errors in this publication. 2013 Hodgson Russ LLP — Attorney Advertising

Source: http://www.hodgsonruss.com/files/1_2_1/Alerts/2012/Hodgson%20Russ%20Helps%20Clients%20in%20Largest-Ever%20False%20Claims%20Act%20Settlement.pdf