Medicaid Fraud Control Unity (MFCU)

Central Florida Pain Management Clinic Falls Victim to Civil Forfeiture

By Christopher E. Brown, J.D., The Health Law Firm

On June 14, 2013, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, along with local police and sheriffs’ deputies raided a Longwood, Florida, pain management clinic. In addition to criminal charges, the physicians and employees associated with this clinic face another lesser known threat, the civil forfeiture of their money and property. During the raid agents took everything from the clinic that could help them build a criminal prosecution. This included paper records, computer equipment and prescription drugs. In addition to the Longwood pain management clinic, DEA agents also searched homes in Brevard County, Florida, where associates of the Longwood clinic allegedly live. To read more on the raid, click here.

This is just one example. Recently we’ve noticed that it is becoming more common for government prosecutors and agencies, including the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:50-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: Civil Forfeiture, In the Know, Pain Management, Pharmaceutical Drugs, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: accused of health care fraud, burden of proof in forfeiture cases, Civil forfeiture, Civil Forfeiture Act, civil forfeiture of money, civil forfeiture of property, criminal charges against a health care facility, criminal charges against a health care professional, criminal charges against a health care provider, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, forfeiture, forfeiture action, forfeiture case, forfeiture proceedings, health care facilities, health care fraud, health care professionals, health law, Medicaid Fraud Control Unity (MFCU), pill mills, police, preliminary adversarial hearing, preventing health care fraud, seized personal property probably cause to seizer personal property, seized property, sheriff, the health law firm, U.S. Attorney’s Office|1 Comment

What Should I Do If I Have Property That Is the Subject of a Seizure under the Civil Forfeiture Act?

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The civil forfeiture of property has become a popular tool for state and federal agencies to fight alleged criminal activity. It is a civil proceeding that permits the government to seize personal property if it is believed that the property is “proceeds of criminal activity.” The civil forfeiture law allows government authorities, usually police authorities, to gain possession of a person’s property without any determination of guilt or innocence of the person involved.

What Actions Cause Property to be Seized?

Typically, a forfeiture action begins when personal property is seized after an arrest. During the raid government agents can take everything that could help build a criminal prosecution. This can include paper records, computer equipment, money, cell phones and cars.

We are seeing more […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:07-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Dentist Defense attorney, Dentistry Law|Tags: accused of health care fraud, burden of proof in forfeiture cases, Civil forfeiture, Civil Forfeiture Act, civil forfeiture of money, civil forfeiture of property, criminal charges against a health care facility, criminal charges against a health care professional, criminal charges against a health care provider, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, forfeiture, forfeiture action, forfeiture case, forfeiture proceedings, health care facilities, health care fraud, health care professionals, health law, Medicaid Fraud Control Unity (MFCU), pill mills, police, preliminary adversarial hearing, preventing health care fraud, seized personal property probably cause to seizer personal property, seized property, sheriff, the health law firm, U.S. Attorney’s Office|Comments Off

By Christopher E. Brown, J.D., The Health Law Firm, and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Recently we have seen government prosecutors and agencies, including the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), the U.S. Attorney General’s (AG) Office, and local sheriff and police departments use the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act against health professionals and health facilities in health-related cases.

A prompt, aggressive defense to these actions may recover the property or funds seized and, more importantly, a good defense can be used to help resolve any pending criminal charges.

Civil Forfeiture of Property is Used to Fight Alleged Criminal Activity.

The civil forfeiture of property has become a popular tool for state and federal agencies to combat alleged criminal activity. In Florida, the Florida Contraband […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:14-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health, Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy|Tags: accused of health care fraud, burden of proof in forfeiture cases, Civil forfeiture, Civil Forfeiture Act, civil forfeiture of money, civil forfeiture of property, criminal charges against a health care facility, criminal charges against a health care professional, criminal charges against a health care provider, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, forfeiture, forfeiture action, forfeiture case, forfeiture proceedings, health care facilities, health care fraud, health care professionals, health law, Medicaid Fraud Control Unity (MFCU), pill mills, police, preliminary adversarial hearing, preventing health care fraud, seized personal property probably cause to seizer personal property, seized property, sheriff, the health law firm, U.S. Attorney’s Office|Comments Off

A New Trend in the Government’s Fight Against Health Care Fraud and Pill Mills: Civil Forfeiture

By Christopher E. Brown, J.D., The Health Law Firm, and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Recently, we have noticed government prosecutors and agencies, including the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), the U.S. Attorney General’s (AG) Office, and local sheriff and police departments use the Civil Forfeiture Act against licensed health professionals and health facilities in health-related cases.

A quick, aggressive defense to these actions may recover the property or funds seized. A good defense can also be used to help resolve any pending criminal charges.

The Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act and the Federal Forfeiture Act.

In Florida, the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, Sections 932.701 through 932.707, Florida Statues permits the government to seize personal property if there is probable cause to believe that property is either an instrumentality or the proceeds of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:40-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Pharmacy Law Blog|Tags: accused of health care fraud, burden of proof in forfeiture cases, Civil forfeiture, Civil Forfeiture Act, civil forfeiture of money, civil forfeiture of property, criminal charges against a health care facility, criminal charges against a health care professional, criminal charges against a health care provider, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, forfeiture, forfeiture action, forfeiture case, forfeiture proceedings, health care facilities, health care fraud, health care professionals, health law, Medicaid Fraud Control Unity (MFCU), pill mills, police, preliminary adversarial hearing, preventing health care fraud, seized personal property probably cause to seizer personal property, seized property, sheriff, the health law firm, U.S. Attorney’s Office|Comments Off

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Central Florida Pain Management Clinic Falls Victim to Civil Forfeiture

What Should I Do If I Have Property That Is the Subject of a Seizure under the Civil Forfeiture Act?

The Government’s Use of Civil Forfeiture to Combat Health Care Fraud and Pill Mills in Florida

A New Trend in the Government’s Fight Against Health Care Fraud and Pill Mills: Civil Forfeiture