You may be excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs for any number of reasons. A criminal conviction is one of the most common reasons healthcare professionals find themselves on the exclusion lists. But you may also find yourself excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs based on a professional discipline complaint or a Medicare or Medicaid audit.
You may be placed on the exclusion list by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Or you may be excluded from a Medicaid program by the New York State Office of Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG). Either way, being on the excluded list can destroy your career. You will not be able to bill any federal healthcare programs for as long as you are the list, and you will not be able to work for any healthcare providers that bill Medicare or Medicaid.
Exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid often results in the termination of contracts with health insurers, the termination of contracts with other health care businesses or individuals, and the termination of hospital clinical privileges.
The exclusions may cover different time periods. For example, OMIG may exclude you now for a period of five years. Then, two years from now, OIG may exclude you for the same reason for another five years. As a result, your “five-year” exclusion could actually last seven or more years. Exclusion by the OIG will also place you on the federal General Services Administration (GSA) Debarment List, which means you will not be able to work or contract with anyone who contracts with the government or receives government funds.
How to Respond to an Exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid
If you receive a notice that OIG or OMIG may exclude you from Medicare or Medicaid, you must act quickly. Your deadline to respond and appeal is very short – you have as little as 30 days to prepare your evidence and present it – and that deadline is strictly enforced.
If you are already excluded, you may apply for reinstatement. You must be able to show that you have complied with the exclusion and that you have not engaged in any further conduct that would justify exclusion. If you were required to pay a fine or restitution, you must pay the money or work out a payment plan before applying for reinstatement. It is also helpful to support your reinstatement application with letters and testimonials from patients, colleagues, and community leaders to show that you have been rehabilitated and are making a positive contribution to the community.
You may apply for reinstatement only once each year, so you must make sure your reinstatement application is thorough and professional. Retaining an experienced Medicare and Medicare fraud lawyer can often make the difference between success and failure.
John Howley Esq. has more than 27 years of experience representing professionals in complex healthcare matters including exclusion appeal and reinstatement applications. Call him directly at (212) 601-2728 to schedule a consultation.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Investigations in New York
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) is the largest unit in the New York Attorney General’s Criminal Division. It is charged with investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud by doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals, nursing homes, durable medical equipment suppliers, and other healthcare providers.
The MFCU targets providers who submit false claims to Medicaid. False claims include billing for services that were never provided, “upcoding” or overbilling for services that were provided, “unbundling” services to obtain higher reimbursements, billing for an unlicensed or excluded provider under a different provider’s name, paying or receiving kickbacks in return for patient referrals, and providing substandard care, drugs or medical equipment to patients. The MFCU also investigates and prosecutes abuse and neglect in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.
With almost 300 professional staff, the New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is the largest in the nation. Its prosecutors, investigators, and forensic accountants and auditors are highly experienced and aggressive. Every year, they obtain criminal convictions with long prison sentences and recover more than $350 million from healthcare providers accused of Medicaid fraud.
MFCU investigations often begin slowly and build over a period of months and even years. By the time you are contacted, the MFCU investigators have already uncovered evidence suggesting that you are guilty of Medicaid fraud. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you. Keep in mind that the investigators are not there to help you. They are conducting an investigation to build a criminal case against you.
The investigators may demand that you turn over documents and files. Some of these demands may be legitimate, but the investigators may also demand records that you are not required to turn over. For example, you are not required to turn over records that do not relate to Medicaid claims. Turning over more documents than you are required to disclose can greatly expand the investigation and the potential exposure.
Criminal charges for Medicaid fraud can be catastrophic. In addition to facing a long prison sentence and a permanent criminal record, you could be ordered to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in restitution. You could also lose your professional license and be excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, effectively ending your career.
If you are contacted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, you should retain an experienced Medicaid fraud defense lawyer immediately. Your best chance of avoiding criminal charges is to get an experienced lawyer involved before you speak to investigators and before any charges are filed against you.
John Howley, Esq. has more than 27 years of experience defending clients in criminal investigations and at trial, including physicians, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, durable medical equipment suppliers, and other healthcare providers. To schedule a consultation, contact him directly at 212-601-2728.
The MFCU targets providers who submit false claims to Medicaid. False claims include billing for services that were never provided, “upcoding” or overbilling for services that were provided, “unbundling” services to obtain higher reimbursements, billing for an unlicensed or excluded provider under a different provider’s name, paying or receiving kickbacks in return for patient referrals, and providing substandard care, drugs or medical equipment to patients. The MFCU also investigates and prosecutes abuse and neglect in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.
With almost 300 professional staff, the New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is the largest in the nation. Its prosecutors, investigators, and forensic accountants and auditors are highly experienced and aggressive. Every year, they obtain criminal convictions with long prison sentences and recover more than $350 million from healthcare providers accused of Medicaid fraud.
MFCU investigations often begin slowly and build over a period of months and even years. By the time you are contacted, the MFCU investigators have already uncovered evidence suggesting that you are guilty of Medicaid fraud. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you. Keep in mind that the investigators are not there to help you. They are conducting an investigation to build a criminal case against you.
The investigators may demand that you turn over documents and files. Some of these demands may be legitimate, but the investigators may also demand records that you are not required to turn over. For example, you are not required to turn over records that do not relate to Medicaid claims. Turning over more documents than you are required to disclose can greatly expand the investigation and the potential exposure.
Criminal charges for Medicaid fraud can be catastrophic. In addition to facing a long prison sentence and a permanent criminal record, you could be ordered to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in restitution. You could also lose your professional license and be excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, effectively ending your career.
If you are contacted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, you should retain an experienced Medicaid fraud defense lawyer immediately. Your best chance of avoiding criminal charges is to get an experienced lawyer involved before you speak to investigators and before any charges are filed against you.
John Howley, Esq. has more than 27 years of experience defending clients in criminal investigations and at trial, including physicians, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, durable medical equipment suppliers, and other healthcare providers. To schedule a consultation, contact him directly at 212-601-2728.
Monday, March 5, 2018
Avoiding Criminal Charges in Medicaid Fraud Investigations
A Medicaid fraud investigation has potentially devastating consequences, especially if it leads to criminal charges. How you respond to investigators and prosecutors can mean the difference between an inconvenience and a career-ending prison sentence.
The first thing you need to understand is that Medicaid fraud investigators and prosecutors are not on your side. They contacted you because they already have evidence suggesting that Medicaid fraud has occurred. They believe that you either have information helpful to their investigation, or that you were directly involved. Their primary objective now is to determine whether you knowingly and intentionally participated in the fraud.
Medicaid fraud comes in many different forms. The most common types of Medicaid fraud that lead to criminal charges are:
Why do some Medicaid fraud investigations result in serious criminal charges while others are resolved with a monetary settlement? The answer is usually proof of intent. In order to prove a criminal case of Medicaid fraud, a prosecutor must prove that you intended to defraud the government.
There are many ways to prove an intent to defraud Medicaid. A pattern of false statements or claims will often be used to show that they were intentional and not the result of a mistake. Inconsistent statements can also be used to show intent. For example, if you make statements to investigators that are inconsistent with written records, statements by others, or your own prior statements, a prosecutor will use that inconsistency to argue that you are not telling the truth.
This is why it is critical to understand all the facts and review all the records before you decide whether or not to speak with investigators.
You should always engage an experienced Medicaid fraud defense lawyer before you speak with fraud investigators. Your lawyer can speak with investigators and discuss their concerns before you have to decide whether to speak with them. He can also review all of your records to identify any problem areas and help you prepare your defense.
Once you and your lawyer understand the issues and the evidence, you can develop a strategy for responding to investigators or prosecutors. It sometimes makes sense to exercise your right to remain silent. Other times, your lawyer may recommend cooperating, but only under a proffer agreement that prohibits prosecutors from using your statements in court as long as you tell the truth.
Your lawyer will also conduct a legal analysis. Does the prosecutor have enough evidence to bring charges against you? Are there gaps in the evidence that will prevent the prosecutor from proving his case? Is there an opportunity to avoid criminal charges by negotiating a financial settlement?
These questions cannot be answered in a vacuum. You and your lawyer must do your own investigation, gather all the facts, and develop a strategy before speaking with investigators or prosecutors.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud defense attorney, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
You can also click here to download our free e-Book, “How to Survive a Medicaid Fraud Investigation.”
The first thing you need to understand is that Medicaid fraud investigators and prosecutors are not on your side. They contacted you because they already have evidence suggesting that Medicaid fraud has occurred. They believe that you either have information helpful to their investigation, or that you were directly involved. Their primary objective now is to determine whether you knowingly and intentionally participated in the fraud.
Common Types of Medicaid Fraud
- False or fraudulent billing
- Billing for more expensive services than actually provided (up-coding)
- Billing for services that were never provided
- Billing separately for procedures that should be billed as a bundle
- Prescribing narcotics without documented medical necessity
- Selling prescriptions paid for by Medicaid
- Failing to report all your income on applications for Medicaid benefits
Criminal Intent vs. Honest Mistakes
There are many ways to prove an intent to defraud Medicaid. A pattern of false statements or claims will often be used to show that they were intentional and not the result of a mistake. Inconsistent statements can also be used to show intent. For example, if you make statements to investigators that are inconsistent with written records, statements by others, or your own prior statements, a prosecutor will use that inconsistency to argue that you are not telling the truth.
This is why it is critical to understand all the facts and review all the records before you decide whether or not to speak with investigators.
How an Experienced Medicaid Fraud Lawyer Can Help
Once you and your lawyer understand the issues and the evidence, you can develop a strategy for responding to investigators or prosecutors. It sometimes makes sense to exercise your right to remain silent. Other times, your lawyer may recommend cooperating, but only under a proffer agreement that prohibits prosecutors from using your statements in court as long as you tell the truth.
Your lawyer will also conduct a legal analysis. Does the prosecutor have enough evidence to bring charges against you? Are there gaps in the evidence that will prevent the prosecutor from proving his case? Is there an opportunity to avoid criminal charges by negotiating a financial settlement?
These questions cannot be answered in a vacuum. You and your lawyer must do your own investigation, gather all the facts, and develop a strategy before speaking with investigators or prosecutors.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud defense attorney, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
You can also click here to download our free e-Book, “How to Survive a Medicaid Fraud Investigation.”
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Avoiding Medicaid Fraud Investigation Mistakes
New York Medicaid Fraud Investigators Become More Aggressive
This is especially true in New York, where investigators and prosecutors have become more aggressive. The New York Office of Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG), the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), and the City’s Bureau of Fraud Investigation (BFI) do not hesitate to turn your mistakes into criminal charges.
How to Respond to Medicaid Fraud Investigators
The investigator already completed a review of all available documentation before they contacted you. They already interviewed witnesses. They already believe that you are guilty. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you. Do not answer their questions or voluntarily turn over documents until you are fully prepared.
Your first step should be to contact a lawyer who understands the complex regulations governing Medicaid and has experience in government investigations and criminal defense. If the Medicaid investigators contacted you by letter, give the letter to your lawyer. It often contains subtle clues to the strengths and weaknesses of their case.
If you are contacted by phone or in person, tell the investigator that you will get back to them because you cannot talk right now. Get their business card or contact information, then bring that information to your lawyer. Your lawyer will contact them to find out what they already know and what their concerns are.
How Your Lawyer Can Help
Your lawyer will also conduct his own investigation. He will review your situation and records to identify any problem areas and any issues that might come up in the government's investigation. Together, you will put together the evidence you need to respond forcefully to any claims or charges.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
You can also click here to download his free e-Book, “How to Survive a Medicaid Fraud Investigation.”
Monday, September 18, 2017
NYC Bureau of Fraud Investigation FAQ
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid Fraud Investigations
A letter from an investigator at the HRA Bureau of Fraud Investigation must be taken seriously. While most investigations are resolved by negotiating a settlement with the investigator -- even if you are guilty of fraud -- many investigations result in criminal charges or civil lawsuits. The difference usually depends on how you respond to the investigator.
Here are answers to the questions we get most often from clients facing Medicaid fraud investigations.
Why did I receive a letter from the NYC Human Resources Administration, Bureau of Fraud Investigation?
The investigator believes that you provided false or incomplete information on your Medicaid application or re-certifications. They are trying to determine whether you were eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Why did the Bureau of Fraud Investigation decide to investigate me for Medicaid fraud?
Most Medicaid fraud investigations begin when the Bureau of Fraud Investigation finds evidence that is inconsistent with the income or residence you listed on your re-certifications for Medicaid benefits. Investigators have access to databases that contain summaries of your bank account balances, car registrations and titles, real estate titles and mortgages, corporate records, licensing records, and bank lease or loan records. If they discover a high bank balance, a new car lease, or home ownership that is inconsistent with your reported income, they will open an investigation.
What are my rights during a Medicaid fraud investigation at the HRA?
You have the right to consult with an attorney. You have the right to bring an attorney or other representative with you to any meetings with investigators. You have the right to remain silent. You cannot be compelled to answer the investigator’s questions. The investigator cannot terminate your Medicaid benefits just because you refused to answer their questions, but your benefits may be terminated if you are not eligible.
Should I go to the “interview” with the investigator?
No. The “interview” is actually an interrogation by two investigators in a small, windowless room. They will try to get you to admit that you committed Medicaid fraud. Anything you say to the investigators can and will be used against you. If you admit that you signed re-certifications containing false information, the investigators may send your case to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution.
Should I cooperate with the investigator?
That depends. As a general rule, you should find out what the investigators know and what they intend to do with your case before you cooperate. That is very difficult to do if you are representing yourself. The investigators will press you to produce your tax returns and answer their questions first, before they tell you anything. A lawyer, however, can usually find out what the investigators already know – and whether they are willing to discuss a settlement – before you answer any questions. In many cases, your lawyer can resolve the investigation without an interview.
What are the possible consequences of an HRA investigation?
The penalties vary depending on the specific facts of each case. If you were not eligible for Medicaid benefits, but the investigator cannot prove that you intentionally lied on your application or re-certifications, then you can usually avoid any civil litigation or criminal charges. But if the investigator can prove that you intentionally provided false information, your case may be sent to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution. Criminal charges can result in monetary fines, penalties, restitution orders, a jail or prison sentence, and a permanent criminal record.
What if an agent filled out the Medicaid application or re-certifications for me?
You are still liable for any false statements on a Medicaid application or re-certification, even if someone else completed the form for you. You signed the form under penalty of perjury and swore that all the information was true and correct. You accepted the benefits that Medicaid provided. While the agent may also be guilty of fraud, it does not lessen your liability.
Will the investigator negotiate a settlement?
Many cases are settled by paying back benefits that were received when the client was not qualified. In some cases, the investigators will agree to a monthly payment plan with no penalties or interest. The key is how you handle the investigation.
The best place to start is by consulting an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer. Your lawyer can review your financial records, discuss your situation, and obtain copies of your application and re-certifications from the investigator. Based on this information, your lawyer can develop a strategy designed to avoid criminal charges and reduce the amount of any settlement.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. today at (212) 601-2728.
A letter from an investigator at the HRA Bureau of Fraud Investigation must be taken seriously. While most investigations are resolved by negotiating a settlement with the investigator -- even if you are guilty of fraud -- many investigations result in criminal charges or civil lawsuits. The difference usually depends on how you respond to the investigator.
Here are answers to the questions we get most often from clients facing Medicaid fraud investigations.
Why did I receive a letter from the NYC Human Resources Administration, Bureau of Fraud Investigation?
The investigator believes that you provided false or incomplete information on your Medicaid application or re-certifications. They are trying to determine whether you were eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Why did the Bureau of Fraud Investigation decide to investigate me for Medicaid fraud?
Most Medicaid fraud investigations begin when the Bureau of Fraud Investigation finds evidence that is inconsistent with the income or residence you listed on your re-certifications for Medicaid benefits. Investigators have access to databases that contain summaries of your bank account balances, car registrations and titles, real estate titles and mortgages, corporate records, licensing records, and bank lease or loan records. If they discover a high bank balance, a new car lease, or home ownership that is inconsistent with your reported income, they will open an investigation.
What are my rights during a Medicaid fraud investigation at the HRA?
You have the right to consult with an attorney. You have the right to bring an attorney or other representative with you to any meetings with investigators. You have the right to remain silent. You cannot be compelled to answer the investigator’s questions. The investigator cannot terminate your Medicaid benefits just because you refused to answer their questions, but your benefits may be terminated if you are not eligible.
Should I go to the “interview” with the investigator?
No. The “interview” is actually an interrogation by two investigators in a small, windowless room. They will try to get you to admit that you committed Medicaid fraud. Anything you say to the investigators can and will be used against you. If you admit that you signed re-certifications containing false information, the investigators may send your case to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution.
Should I cooperate with the investigator?
That depends. As a general rule, you should find out what the investigators know and what they intend to do with your case before you cooperate. That is very difficult to do if you are representing yourself. The investigators will press you to produce your tax returns and answer their questions first, before they tell you anything. A lawyer, however, can usually find out what the investigators already know – and whether they are willing to discuss a settlement – before you answer any questions. In many cases, your lawyer can resolve the investigation without an interview.
What are the possible consequences of an HRA investigation?
The penalties vary depending on the specific facts of each case. If you were not eligible for Medicaid benefits, but the investigator cannot prove that you intentionally lied on your application or re-certifications, then you can usually avoid any civil litigation or criminal charges. But if the investigator can prove that you intentionally provided false information, your case may be sent to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution. Criminal charges can result in monetary fines, penalties, restitution orders, a jail or prison sentence, and a permanent criminal record.
What if an agent filled out the Medicaid application or re-certifications for me?
You are still liable for any false statements on a Medicaid application or re-certification, even if someone else completed the form for you. You signed the form under penalty of perjury and swore that all the information was true and correct. You accepted the benefits that Medicaid provided. While the agent may also be guilty of fraud, it does not lessen your liability.
Will the investigator negotiate a settlement?
Many cases are settled by paying back benefits that were received when the client was not qualified. In some cases, the investigators will agree to a monthly payment plan with no penalties or interest. The key is how you handle the investigation.
The best place to start is by consulting an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer. Your lawyer can review your financial records, discuss your situation, and obtain copies of your application and re-certifications from the investigator. Based on this information, your lawyer can develop a strategy designed to avoid criminal charges and reduce the amount of any settlement.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. today at (212) 601-2728.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Free Guide: How to Survive a Medicaid Fraud Investigation
Before you speak to a Medicaid fraud investigator, click here to download our free guide: "How to Survive a Medicaid Fraud Investigation." Then call us at (212) 601-2728 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
New York City Medicaid Fraud Investigations
How to Protect Yourself from Serious Criminal Charges at the Bureau of Fraud Investigation
Every year, thousands of New Yorkers are investigated for Medicaid fraud because they were not 100% honest on their annual re-certification forms. Some failed to disclose a promotion or a new job, others failed to disclose that their household income increased, some failed to disclose that a spouse or significant other was living with them and had an income, and others failed to disclose that they moved outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Many people do not realize that failing to disclose these types of changes is a serious crime. As a result, hundreds of people end up in handcuffs in front of a criminal court judge facing felony charges for grand larceny and welfare fraud.
Your case does not have to end this way. When handled properly, most investigations do not result in criminal charges. If you received a letter from the HRA Bureau of Fraud Investigation, here are a few steps that you should take immediately to protect yourself.
Step One: Do Not Ignore the Investigator's Letter
By the time you receive the letter, the investigator has already completed most of the investigation. The investigator already believes that you are guilty of Medicaid fraud. If you ignore their letter, the investigator will send your case straight to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution. Never ignore the investigator’s letter.
Step Two: Consult with an Experienced Medicaid Fraud Lawyer
Get advice from a lawyer before you speak to the investigator. The Medicaid rules are very complicated. Your lawyer can analyze your situation, explain where the problems are, identify your defenses, and help you develop a strategy for avoiding criminal charges. You can schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer today by calling John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
Step Three: Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
The investigator wants to “interview” you for only one reason: to develop the evidence they need to prove that you committed Medicaid fraud. They want you to admit that you signed the re-certification knowing that the document contained false information. They do not care about your explanations. Once you admit that you signed a false re-certification form, they will have an open and shut case for the District Attorney. Let your lawyer talk to the investigator instead. In most of the hundreds of cases we have handled, our clients never had to appear for an “interview” with the investigator.
Step Four: Be Prepared to Pay Back Benefits if You Were Not Qualified
In New York City, Medicaid pays private health insurance companies a premium every month to provide health insurance benefits to Medicaid beneficiaries. Even if you never used the Medicaid benefits, Medicaid may have paid thousands of dollars to a private insurance company for your benefits. If you were not qualified for Medicaid, you may be able to avoid criminal charges by agreeing to pay back the cost of those benefits for the period when you were not qualified. An experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer can often negotiate a payment plan with no penalties or interest. The savings are often more than enough to cover the lawyer's fee.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer today, call John Howley Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728
www.JohnHowleyEsq.com
Every year, thousands of New Yorkers are investigated for Medicaid fraud because they were not 100% honest on their annual re-certification forms. Some failed to disclose a promotion or a new job, others failed to disclose that their household income increased, some failed to disclose that a spouse or significant other was living with them and had an income, and others failed to disclose that they moved outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Many people do not realize that failing to disclose these types of changes is a serious crime. As a result, hundreds of people end up in handcuffs in front of a criminal court judge facing felony charges for grand larceny and welfare fraud.
Your case does not have to end this way. When handled properly, most investigations do not result in criminal charges. If you received a letter from the HRA Bureau of Fraud Investigation, here are a few steps that you should take immediately to protect yourself.
Step One: Do Not Ignore the Investigator's Letter
By the time you receive the letter, the investigator has already completed most of the investigation. The investigator already believes that you are guilty of Medicaid fraud. If you ignore their letter, the investigator will send your case straight to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution. Never ignore the investigator’s letter.
Step Two: Consult with an Experienced Medicaid Fraud Lawyer
Get advice from a lawyer before you speak to the investigator. The Medicaid rules are very complicated. Your lawyer can analyze your situation, explain where the problems are, identify your defenses, and help you develop a strategy for avoiding criminal charges. You can schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer today by calling John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
Step Three: Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
The investigator wants to “interview” you for only one reason: to develop the evidence they need to prove that you committed Medicaid fraud. They want you to admit that you signed the re-certification knowing that the document contained false information. They do not care about your explanations. Once you admit that you signed a false re-certification form, they will have an open and shut case for the District Attorney. Let your lawyer talk to the investigator instead. In most of the hundreds of cases we have handled, our clients never had to appear for an “interview” with the investigator.
Step Four: Be Prepared to Pay Back Benefits if You Were Not Qualified
In New York City, Medicaid pays private health insurance companies a premium every month to provide health insurance benefits to Medicaid beneficiaries. Even if you never used the Medicaid benefits, Medicaid may have paid thousands of dollars to a private insurance company for your benefits. If you were not qualified for Medicaid, you may be able to avoid criminal charges by agreeing to pay back the cost of those benefits for the period when you were not qualified. An experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer can often negotiate a payment plan with no penalties or interest. The savings are often more than enough to cover the lawyer's fee.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer today, call John Howley Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728
www.JohnHowleyEsq.com
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Understanding the SEC Whistleblower Program
Are you thinking about reporting securities fraud? I have posted a series of PowerPoint slides explaining how to report securities fraud and collect financial rewards (including how to do so anonymously), and how to protect yourself from retaliation.
The slides explain what a whistleblower is, what type of information qualifies you for financial rewards and legal protections, and the basic procedural steps you need to take.
You can view the slides by clicking here.
Let me know what you think. Your questions and comments will be welcomed.
John Howley, Esq.
The Howley Law Firm P.C.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728
www.JohnHowleyEsq.com
The slides explain what a whistleblower is, what type of information qualifies you for financial rewards and legal protections, and the basic procedural steps you need to take.
You can view the slides by clicking here.
Let me know what you think. Your questions and comments will be welcomed.
John Howley, Esq.
The Howley Law Firm P.C.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728
www.JohnHowleyEsq.com
Thursday, April 17, 2014
DME Employee Gets 33 Months in Prison for Medicare Fraud
Government Alleged $600,000 in False Medicare Claims for Enteral Nutrition Products
A 57-year-old former employee of a durable medical equipment (DME) company will spend the next 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. He was also ordered to pay more than $300,000 in restitution to the Medicare program.
The defendant admitted that he agreed with a co-defendant to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. He also accepted kickbacks from the co-defendant to direct business to the co-defendant's DME company and to sign DME orders for the company.
In return for cash payments, the defendant would sign “JRoy MD” on prescription pads, DME information forms, and certificates of medical necessity for enteral nutrition products. The documents contained false information about the patients' medical conditions. For example, some of the documents falsely stated that the patients required tube feeding when they did not.
A co-defendant in the case is already serving a three-year prison term for his role in the conspiracy. Because the co-defendant is not a U.S. citizen, he will be referred to the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for deportation when he completes his sentence.
Medicare fraud investigations can have very serious consequences. You must get expert advice and begin to plan your defense as soon as you know that you are under investigation. Sometimes criminal charges can be avoided if you act immediately.
To arrange a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicare fraud defense lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728, or click here to reach our offices via email.
John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728
A 57-year-old former employee of a durable medical equipment (DME) company will spend the next 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. He was also ordered to pay more than $300,000 in restitution to the Medicare program.
The defendant admitted that he agreed with a co-defendant to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. He also accepted kickbacks from the co-defendant to direct business to the co-defendant's DME company and to sign DME orders for the company.
In return for cash payments, the defendant would sign “JRoy MD” on prescription pads, DME information forms, and certificates of medical necessity for enteral nutrition products. The documents contained false information about the patients' medical conditions. For example, some of the documents falsely stated that the patients required tube feeding when they did not.
A co-defendant in the case is already serving a three-year prison term for his role in the conspiracy. Because the co-defendant is not a U.S. citizen, he will be referred to the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for deportation when he completes his sentence.
Medicare fraud investigations can have very serious consequences. You must get expert advice and begin to plan your defense as soon as you know that you are under investigation. Sometimes criminal charges can be avoided if you act immediately.
To arrange a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicare fraud defense lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728, or click here to reach our offices via email.
John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Medicare Fraud Carries Stiff Prison Sentences
A former husband and wife will spend the next three years in separate prison cells for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of approximately $4 million. In addition, they will lose a home, pay $480,000 to a State Medicaid program, and spend another three years on supervised release.
Leonid and Yelena Stolyar pleaded guilty in a federal court in Colorado to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering. The government alleged that they submitted false claims to government healthcare programs for durable medical equipment. Cooperating beneficiaries provided evidence of false and fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, including some claims for equipment that was never provided to the beneficiary.
According to the government, the former couple exacerbated the situation by continuing to bill Medicare and Medicaid even after the wife pleaded guilty and was excluded from participating in federal healthcare programs. The government alleged that they did this by concealing the fact that the wife was still involved in, and benefiting from, their durable medical equipment business.
Part of the evidence against the former couple came from their divorce settlement -- which acknowledged the wife's ownership interest in the durable medical equipment business and provided that she would still receive income from that business even after she was excluded from federal government healthcare programs.
The moral of the story is: Do not try to play games with the government. If you are being investigated by the government for healthcare fraud, or if you believe that your employer is engaged in healthcare fraud, then you should consult with an experienced lawyer immediately. To schedule a free initial consultation by telephone or in person, call my office today at (212) 601-2728 or click here to communicate with me via email.
John Howley
New York, New York
Sources: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado, Press Release
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. I invite you to contact our law offices and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. I practice law and offer legal services only in jurisdictions where I am properly authorized to do so. I do not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this web site does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules.
Leonid and Yelena Stolyar pleaded guilty in a federal court in Colorado to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering. The government alleged that they submitted false claims to government healthcare programs for durable medical equipment. Cooperating beneficiaries provided evidence of false and fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, including some claims for equipment that was never provided to the beneficiary.
According to the government, the former couple exacerbated the situation by continuing to bill Medicare and Medicaid even after the wife pleaded guilty and was excluded from participating in federal healthcare programs. The government alleged that they did this by concealing the fact that the wife was still involved in, and benefiting from, their durable medical equipment business.
Part of the evidence against the former couple came from their divorce settlement -- which acknowledged the wife's ownership interest in the durable medical equipment business and provided that she would still receive income from that business even after she was excluded from federal government healthcare programs.
The moral of the story is: Do not try to play games with the government. If you are being investigated by the government for healthcare fraud, or if you believe that your employer is engaged in healthcare fraud, then you should consult with an experienced lawyer immediately. To schedule a free initial consultation by telephone or in person, call my office today at (212) 601-2728 or click here to communicate with me via email.
John Howley
New York, New York
Sources: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado, Press Release
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. I invite you to contact our law offices and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. I practice law and offer legal services only in jurisdictions where I am properly authorized to do so. I do not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this web site does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Regulating Indecency on Television: The Supreme Court Says Yes and No
The U.S. Supreme Court this week threw out penalties against
television stations that violated the Federal Communications Commission policy
regulating curse words and nudity on television airwaves. The case was FCC v. Fox TelevisionStations.
New York, New York
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for a unanimous Court that the
FCC’s actions violated due process because the agency failed to give
broadcasters “fair notice prior to the broadcasts in question that fleeting
expletives and momentary nudity could be found actionably indecent.”
The dispute arose out of a change in enforcement
policy. In 2001, the FCC announced
that it would no longer punish fleeting and isolated uses of expletives. In this case, however, the FCC did impose
penalties for fleeting nudity on the television drama NYPD Blue and the use of
the “F-word” by Cher and Nicole Richie on awards shows.
While striking down the penalties in this case on the ground
that the enforcement policies did not give broadcasters sufficient notice of
actionable conduct, the Court stated that the FCC was “free to modify its current
indecency policy in light of its determination of the public interest and
applicable legal requirements.”
The Court declined to issue a broader ruling on the
Constitutionality of the FCC's indecency policies under the First Amendment. As a result, the ruling does not change
the FCC’s substantive authority to regulate indecency on broadcast television.
An interesting side note is that this dispute arose out of events
that happened about a decade ago, in 2002 and 2003. Broadcasters had argued in this case that the indecency
regulations, which apply only to broadcast channels, were obsolete in light of
the diversity of media available through the Internet, cable and satellite
television, smart phones and related devices.
Given the speed with which technology and media are
changing, it is fair to ask what technology and media will look like a decade
from now, and whether a substantive legal challenge initiated today will be
upheld if the Supreme Court finally gets the issue in about 2022.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Promotes "Ductless" Heating and Cooling
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) recently announced the winner of the $10,000 grand prize in its "Discover Ductless" campaign. The campaign encouraged homeowners to upgrade their inefficient electric heating with ductless heating and cooling systems. These systems heat and cool at a fraction of the cost of electric baseboard and wall heaters, typically saving homeowners 25 to 50 percent on heating bills.
Ductless heating and cooling systems are reversible, 2-way heat pumps that use electricity to transfer heat between outdoor and indoor air by compressing and expanding refrigerant. Using a refrigerant vapor compression cycle, like a common household refrigerator, ductless systems collect heat from outside the house and deliver it inside on the heating cycle, and vice versa on the cooling cycle.
Ductless systems use variable speed compressors with “inverter technology” (AC to DC) in order to continuously match the heating/cooling load, avoiding the on/off cycling of conventional electric resistance and central heating systems that is commonly associated with uncomfortable temperature variations and high energy consumption.
As the name suggests, ductless systems do not require the use of air ducts. Ductless systems consist of an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air-handling units, called “heads”, linked by a dedicated refrigerant line. Indoor heads are typically mounted high on a wall or ceiling covering a 3” hole where the refrigerant line passes through from the outside unit, which is mounted at the base of the house. Each indoor head corresponds with a heating and cooling zone that can be controlled independently.
Starting in 2008, the Northwest region's utilities have taken a leadership role in championing ductless heating and cooling technology. In the last 3 years more than 13,000 ductless heating and cooling systems have been installed in the Northwest, at a savings of 40,500,000 kWh hours per year. That's enough electricity to power 3,805 average homes for an entire year.
Ninety-two utility partners in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington offer customer rebates on energy-efficient ductless systems – up to $1,500 or up to 40 percent of the cost of an installed ductless heating and cooling system. Ductless heating and cooling systems have the potential to save the Northwest region 200 aMW of energy savings each year—the equivalent to powering more than 150,000 homes each year.
John J.P. Howley
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Ductless heating and cooling systems are reversible, 2-way heat pumps that use electricity to transfer heat between outdoor and indoor air by compressing and expanding refrigerant. Using a refrigerant vapor compression cycle, like a common household refrigerator, ductless systems collect heat from outside the house and deliver it inside on the heating cycle, and vice versa on the cooling cycle.
Ductless systems use variable speed compressors with “inverter technology” (AC to DC) in order to continuously match the heating/cooling load, avoiding the on/off cycling of conventional electric resistance and central heating systems that is commonly associated with uncomfortable temperature variations and high energy consumption.
As the name suggests, ductless systems do not require the use of air ducts. Ductless systems consist of an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air-handling units, called “heads”, linked by a dedicated refrigerant line. Indoor heads are typically mounted high on a wall or ceiling covering a 3” hole where the refrigerant line passes through from the outside unit, which is mounted at the base of the house. Each indoor head corresponds with a heating and cooling zone that can be controlled independently.
Starting in 2008, the Northwest region's utilities have taken a leadership role in championing ductless heating and cooling technology. In the last 3 years more than 13,000 ductless heating and cooling systems have been installed in the Northwest, at a savings of 40,500,000 kWh hours per year. That's enough electricity to power 3,805 average homes for an entire year.
Ninety-two utility partners in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington offer customer rebates on energy-efficient ductless systems – up to $1,500 or up to 40 percent of the cost of an installed ductless heating and cooling system. Ductless heating and cooling systems have the potential to save the Northwest region 200 aMW of energy savings each year—the equivalent to powering more than 150,000 homes each year.
John J.P. Howley
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Friday, January 13, 2012
Competitive Grants Up To $100,000 for Utility-Focused Energy Technologies
The CTSI Utility Technology Challenge is accepting applications for competitive grants of up to $100,000 to fund demonstration projects for utility-focused energy technologies. The deadline for applications in January 31, 2012.
CTSI stands for the Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries Organization. It is a non-profit utility industry association that brings together global leaders for advocacy, community development, networking, and information sharing to help bring these needed technologies to market more rapidly.
The CTSI Utility Technology Challenge was launched two years ago in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to identify and promote innovative utility-focused energy technologies. A consortium reviews submissions and partners with the winners for testing and pilot programs. Members of the consortium this year include Arsenal Venture Partners, Anaheim Center for New Energy Technologies (AC-NET), Austin Energy, Constellation Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Kauffman Foundation, National Grid, Northeast Utilities, Shell GameChanger, and Southern California Edison.
The consortium selects 15 semifinalist solutions to present at the Clean Technology 2012 Conference in Boston, June 14-16. Winners will be announced at the conference.
Key technology solution areas for this year's challenge include: transmission and distribution, smart grid, distributed power integration, natural gas, industrial and commercial energy and power efficiency, alternative power and hybrid generation, energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and carbon reduction.
The submission deadline is January 31, 2012. Organizations with pilot-ready or early- commercial stage solutions targeting utilities and large customers should apply by clicking here.
CTSI stands for the Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries Organization. It is a non-profit utility industry association that brings together global leaders for advocacy, community development, networking, and information sharing to help bring these needed technologies to market more rapidly.
The CTSI Utility Technology Challenge was launched two years ago in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to identify and promote innovative utility-focused energy technologies. A consortium reviews submissions and partners with the winners for testing and pilot programs. Members of the consortium this year include Arsenal Venture Partners, Anaheim Center for New Energy Technologies (AC-NET), Austin Energy, Constellation Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Kauffman Foundation, National Grid, Northeast Utilities, Shell GameChanger, and Southern California Edison.
The consortium selects 15 semifinalist solutions to present at the Clean Technology 2012 Conference in Boston, June 14-16. Winners will be announced at the conference.
Key technology solution areas for this year's challenge include: transmission and distribution, smart grid, distributed power integration, natural gas, industrial and commercial energy and power efficiency, alternative power and hybrid generation, energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and carbon reduction.
The submission deadline is January 31, 2012. Organizations with pilot-ready or early- commercial stage solutions targeting utilities and large customers should apply by clicking here.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
All Electric Jeep Grand Cherokee
An all-new, all-electric Jeep Granf Cherokee was unveiled today at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The introductory price starts at $57,400. The new model is expected to attract both retail customers and fleet users who desire to take a public position on zero emissions. First deliveries of fully validated vehicles are projected for this fall.
The first dealer of the new all-electric Jeep is Dana Hackney, a multi-line dealer from Cincinnati, Ohio. The company also announced that it would immediately begin to take reservations for the AMP Grand Cherokee EV from fleet and retail customers online at www.ampelectricvehicles.com.
Production of AMP's Jeep Grand Cherokee EV will be done at the company's Engineering and Production facility in Loveland, Ohio.
The introductory price starts at $57,400. The new model is expected to attract both retail customers and fleet users who desire to take a public position on zero emissions. First deliveries of fully validated vehicles are projected for this fall.
The first dealer of the new all-electric Jeep is Dana Hackney, a multi-line dealer from Cincinnati, Ohio. The company also announced that it would immediately begin to take reservations for the AMP Grand Cherokee EV from fleet and retail customers online at www.ampelectricvehicles.com.
Production of AMP's Jeep Grand Cherokee EV will be done at the company's Engineering and Production facility in Loveland, Ohio.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Recycling Waste from Biodiesel Production
Extreme BioDiesel has developed a new and profitable use for raw glycerin, a waste product generated during its bio-diesel processes. The new glycerin product acts as a for concrete and asphalt forms used in finished landscape products and roads.
BookMerge Technology, Inc., the parent of Extreme Biodiesel, has launched a new product line based on the waste glycerine. The new product has already been tested and utilized in the loading, transportation and delivery of concrete and asphalt construction products. The company says that it will save money for customers, create a new profit center for Extreme Biodiesel, and promote a green alternative to existing products.
BookMerge Technology, Inc., the parent of Extreme Biodiesel, has launched a new product line based on the waste glycerine. The new product has already been tested and utilized in the loading, transportation and delivery of concrete and asphalt construction products. The company says that it will save money for customers, create a new profit center for Extreme Biodiesel, and promote a green alternative to existing products.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Vail Global Energy Forum, March 2012
The Vail Valley Foundation, in conjunction with Stanford University's Precourt Institute for Energy (PIE) and Precourt Energy Efficiency Center (PEEC), will host the inaugural Vail Global Energy Forum (VGEF), March 3 and 4, 2012, at the Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC) in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
"The Vail Global Energy Forum is dedicated to the search for sustainable solutions to one of the most pressing issues of our times – how to produce enough clean, cost-efficient energy from reliable sources to power our global economy while we bridge the transition to breakthrough renewable energy solutions of the future," said Vail resident, Jay Precourt, who endowed the Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University.
The VGEF will examine the combined challenges of energy supply, energy security, and the impacts of energy use that will shape the energy transitions underway now and in the decades to come.
"Beaver Creek is an ideal setting for the Vail Global Energy Forum," said Harry Frampton, Chairman of the Vail Valley Foundation's board of directors. "Colorado is both an energy-producing state and an acutely environmentally aware state. It is also home to some of the fastest growing new energy business 'incubators,' devoted to the development of clean energy solutions and Vail Resorts is a recreational leader in utilizing and promoting green technologies."
The VGEF will bring together some of the world's foremost leaders in their fields to discuss how best to provide the energy the world needs to support a productive global economy while limiting adverse effects on the environment. Participants and speakers will include distinguished government officials, corporate executives, research scientists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors and world-renowned journalists. Confirmed participants include George P. Shultz, former U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of Labor and now Distinguished Fellow of Stanford's Hoover Institution; U.S. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Jeffrey Ball, Former Environment Editor of The Wall Street Journal; Tom Petrie, Vice Chairman of Bank of America; Dr. Ernest Moniz, Director of the Energy Initiative at MIT; Dr. Burton Richter, Nobel Laureate in Physics, Senior Fellow at Stanford; and Dr. Nathan Lewis, Director, Lewis Research Group at Caltech.
Additional speakers and panelists will include Gregory Ebel, President and CEO of Spectra Energy; Tom Siebel, Founder of Siebel Systems; Dr. Franklin M. Orr, Director, Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford; Dr. James Sweeney, Director, Precourt Energy Efficiency Center at Stanford; Dr. Sally Benson, Director, Global Climate and Energy Project, also at Stanford.
"Satisfying the worldwide demand for efficient and clean energy presents one of the greatest challenges of the century," explained John L. Hennessy, President of Stanford University. "It also represents a global opportunity. The breakthrough research being done within the Precourt Institute of Energy at Stanford is addressing this challenge to find working solutions through technologies that are sustainable and affordable."
The Vail Global Energy Forum is organized by the Vail Valley Foundation in collaboration with Jay Precourt, Dr. Franklin L. Orr, Dr. James Sweeney and Carl Colby, Executive Director VGEF.
The event will be open to the public, with ticket sales now underway. Tickets are $100 for general admission and $175 for a "Signature Package," which includes reserved seating, pre and post event receptions on Saturday, as well as continental breakfast on Sunday.
Vail Global Energy Forum tickets are available by phone at (888) 920-ARTS(2787) or in person at the Vilar Center box office in Beaver Creek and the Marketplace box office in Vail Village. Tickets are available online 24 hours a day at www.vilarpac.org.
For additional information on the inaugural Vail Global Energy Forum, contact the Vilar Performing Arts Center at (970) 845-TIXS (8497) or visit www.vailglobalenergyforum.com . The Vail Global Energy Forum is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.vvf.org.
"The Vail Global Energy Forum is dedicated to the search for sustainable solutions to one of the most pressing issues of our times – how to produce enough clean, cost-efficient energy from reliable sources to power our global economy while we bridge the transition to breakthrough renewable energy solutions of the future," said Vail resident, Jay Precourt, who endowed the Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University.
The VGEF will examine the combined challenges of energy supply, energy security, and the impacts of energy use that will shape the energy transitions underway now and in the decades to come.
"Beaver Creek is an ideal setting for the Vail Global Energy Forum," said Harry Frampton, Chairman of the Vail Valley Foundation's board of directors. "Colorado is both an energy-producing state and an acutely environmentally aware state. It is also home to some of the fastest growing new energy business 'incubators,' devoted to the development of clean energy solutions and Vail Resorts is a recreational leader in utilizing and promoting green technologies."
The VGEF will bring together some of the world's foremost leaders in their fields to discuss how best to provide the energy the world needs to support a productive global economy while limiting adverse effects on the environment. Participants and speakers will include distinguished government officials, corporate executives, research scientists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors and world-renowned journalists. Confirmed participants include George P. Shultz, former U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of Labor and now Distinguished Fellow of Stanford's Hoover Institution; U.S. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Jeffrey Ball, Former Environment Editor of The Wall Street Journal; Tom Petrie, Vice Chairman of Bank of America; Dr. Ernest Moniz, Director of the Energy Initiative at MIT; Dr. Burton Richter, Nobel Laureate in Physics, Senior Fellow at Stanford; and Dr. Nathan Lewis, Director, Lewis Research Group at Caltech.
Additional speakers and panelists will include Gregory Ebel, President and CEO of Spectra Energy; Tom Siebel, Founder of Siebel Systems; Dr. Franklin M. Orr, Director, Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford; Dr. James Sweeney, Director, Precourt Energy Efficiency Center at Stanford; Dr. Sally Benson, Director, Global Climate and Energy Project, also at Stanford.
"Satisfying the worldwide demand for efficient and clean energy presents one of the greatest challenges of the century," explained John L. Hennessy, President of Stanford University. "It also represents a global opportunity. The breakthrough research being done within the Precourt Institute of Energy at Stanford is addressing this challenge to find working solutions through technologies that are sustainable and affordable."
The Vail Global Energy Forum is organized by the Vail Valley Foundation in collaboration with Jay Precourt, Dr. Franklin L. Orr, Dr. James Sweeney and Carl Colby, Executive Director VGEF.
The event will be open to the public, with ticket sales now underway. Tickets are $100 for general admission and $175 for a "Signature Package," which includes reserved seating, pre and post event receptions on Saturday, as well as continental breakfast on Sunday.
Vail Global Energy Forum tickets are available by phone at (888) 920-ARTS(2787) or in person at the Vilar Center box office in Beaver Creek and the Marketplace box office in Vail Village. Tickets are available online 24 hours a day at www.vilarpac.org.
For additional information on the inaugural Vail Global Energy Forum, contact the Vilar Performing Arts Center at (970) 845-TIXS (8497) or visit www.vailglobalenergyforum.com . The Vail Global Energy Forum is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.vvf.org.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Shell and Brazil's Cosan Launch Multi-Billion Dollar Biofuels Joint Venture
Royal Dutch Shell, the largest oil company in Europe, and Cosan Limited, the largest sugar and ethanol processor in Brazil, have formally launched a multi-billion dollar joint venture that will become the largest producer of ethanol made from sugar cane. The joint venture, called Raizen, will operate in Brazil.
Cosan has invested $3.3 billion and Shell has invested $1.62 billion in the venture. The investments include a 15.7 percent stake in enzyme producer Codexis Inc., a developer of "super-enzymes" for the faster conversion of plant waste into transport fuels, and part of Shell’s interest in Iogen Energy, which uses enzymes to break down plant waste into ethanol. Click here to read more . . . .
Cosan has invested $3.3 billion and Shell has invested $1.62 billion in the venture. The investments include a 15.7 percent stake in enzyme producer Codexis Inc., a developer of "super-enzymes" for the faster conversion of plant waste into transport fuels, and part of Shell’s interest in Iogen Energy, which uses enzymes to break down plant waste into ethanol. Click here to read more . . . .
Sunday, October 16, 2011
US Ex-Im Bank Finances Small-Scale Renewable Energy Exports
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is facilitating the sale of solar panels from California to a private sector project in Belgium under the bank's "Renewable Express" project financing program. The solar panels for the project will be supplied by Solyndra LLC, a manufacturer of photovoltaic systems headquartered in Fremont, California.
The Ex-Im Bank’s “Renewable Express” project financing program provides streamlined post-completion project financing to small renewable-power producers that meet the bank's credit standards. The bank will consider project financing for small renewable power producers seeking loans of $3 million to $10 million. Renewable Express is available for both corporate balance sheet and limited-recourse transactions that fit within the program’s parameters and where the repayment is generated from the project’s cash flows. Click here to read more . . . .
The Ex-Im Bank’s “Renewable Express” project financing program provides streamlined post-completion project financing to small renewable-power producers that meet the bank's credit standards. The bank will consider project financing for small renewable power producers seeking loans of $3 million to $10 million. Renewable Express is available for both corporate balance sheet and limited-recourse transactions that fit within the program’s parameters and where the repayment is generated from the project’s cash flows. Click here to read more . . . .
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Energy Efficient Business Attire
One hot August day, I organized a luncheon in New York City where the President of the Philippines gave a speech to about 150 bankers and business leaders. When I say it was hot, it was a day that defined sweltering. You could see the heat waves rising from the asphalt.
Arriving early to make sure everything was ready, I found that the luncheon hall had been refrigerated (air-conditioned would be a gross understatement) to feel like a walk-in freezer. The manager explained that he had turned the air-conditioning on full blast two hours earlier to get the room so cold. He said this was his standard practice during the summer months because people are pretty hot after walking a few city blocks wearing wool suits. "Don't worry," he assured me. "They'll be so hot when they get here that the room will warm up to a reasonable temperature very quickly." Click here to read more . . . .
Arriving early to make sure everything was ready, I found that the luncheon hall had been refrigerated (air-conditioned would be a gross understatement) to feel like a walk-in freezer. The manager explained that he had turned the air-conditioning on full blast two hours earlier to get the room so cold. He said this was his standard practice during the summer months because people are pretty hot after walking a few city blocks wearing wool suits. "Don't worry," he assured me. "They'll be so hot when they get here that the room will warm up to a reasonable temperature very quickly." Click here to read more . . . .
Monday, October 10, 2011
Warren Buffett, Sustainable Energy, and American Competitiveness
Warren Buffett explains the root of his success as acting rationally about capital allocation over the long term. Our elected officials would be wise to take note of this investment advice when building a budget. By focusing on where to allocate our society's capital over the long term, we can make wiser decisions.
Start with education. In the 20th century, America allocated more capital to education than any other country in the world. This investment gave us the most highly educated and innovative workforce in the world, and it explains much of our economic dominance of the past century. But today, in the second decade of the 21st century, we are falling behind. The United States ranks 27th out of the 29 most developed countries in the percentage of college students pursuing degrees in science or engineering, and we rank 48th out of 133 developed and developing countries in the quality of our math and science instruction. Click here to read more . . . .
Start with education. In the 20th century, America allocated more capital to education than any other country in the world. This investment gave us the most highly educated and innovative workforce in the world, and it explains much of our economic dominance of the past century. But today, in the second decade of the 21st century, we are falling behind. The United States ranks 27th out of the 29 most developed countries in the percentage of college students pursuing degrees in science or engineering, and we rank 48th out of 133 developed and developing countries in the quality of our math and science instruction. Click here to read more . . . .
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