A Medtronic Plc unit won its bid to review communications between a False Claims Act whistleblower accusing the company of paying kickbacks and various media outlets and a Senate committee.
Thomas Schroeder must produce all requested communications between himself and reporters with ProPublica and CNBC, which appear to be highly relevant to the litigation, Magistrate Judge Kenneth G. Gale of the US District Court for the District of Kansas said in a Monday order.
Medtronic says Schroeder disclosed to the media outlets deposition transcripts, confidential company data, marketing brochures, and Department of Veterans Affairs records.
Schroeder must also produce communications between his attorney and general counsel for the US Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, despite Schroeder’s claim that they are privileged, the court said.
The committee is a non-party to the case, there was no showing that the information provided was in confidence, and counsel for Schroeder isn’t representing the committee, the court said.
Schroeder brought the case against Medtronic in 2017, alleging that the company submitted claims to the federal health-care programs that were tainted by kickbacks. Medtronic allegedly gave meals and gifts to VA employees to induce medical device purchases, Schroeder contends.
Donelon PC and Brous Law LLC represents Schroeder. Fredrikson & Byron PA and Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP represents Medtronic Inc.
The case is United States ex rel. Schroeder v....
Images of the Whitegate fuel protests earlier this month were altered to make it appear gardaí were violent towards protesters. The AI-doctored images were shared widely online, including by inter...