The start of 2022 reveals that the government is moving beyond prosecuting “common” or blatant Covid-19 theories of fraud such as improperly taking Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds that were meant to help businesses cover payroll and specific expenses during the public health emergency. Now, the Department of Justice is bringing actions that are not under the usual federal fraud and abuse laws such as the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute.
As we begin the third year of Covid-19, state governments have similarly had a chance to mobilize and take enforcement action using state consumer protection laws.
For example, late last year, the holidays brought a surge of demand for Covid-19 testing as individuals planned travel and family gatherings. Many Covid-19 testing sites became inundated with patients, often leading to long waits and slow results because of test processing delays. Many patients who did not receive their test results in a timely manner filed complaints, typically using the Covid-19 fraud hotlines established by the Department...
Image: Facebook/SAPS The IDAC has rubbished rumours that it has a J50 warrant of arrest for KZN provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as “false”. This comes after re...