Northwestern University Does Not Admit Liability, Yet will Pay Nearly $3 Million to the United States to Settle Cancer Research Grant Fraud Claims

Northwestern University will pay the United States $2.93 million to settle claims of cancer research grant fraud by a former researcher and physician at the university’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Center for Cancer in Chicago. Northwestern agreed to the settlement in a federal False Claims Act lawsuit that was unsealed after the government investigated the claims made by a former employee and whistleblower who will receive a portion of the settlement.

Northwestern allegedly allowed one of its researchers, Dr. Charles L. Bennett, to submit false claims under research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The settlement covers improper claims that Dr. Bennett submitted for reimbursement from the federal grants for professional and consulting services, subcontracts, food, hotels, travel, and other expenses that benefited Dr. Bennett, his friends, and family from January 1, 2003, through August 31, 2010.

The allegations were made in a civil lawsuit filed under seal in 2009 by Melissa Theis, a former employee of the Lurie Cancer Center, who will receive $498,100 in settlement proceeds. Her allegations were investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Officeof Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, resulting in the settlement announced today by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. At the same time, the whistleblower lawsuit that initiated the case was unsealed. United States, et al., ex rel. Melissa Theis v. Northwestern University, Dr. Charles L. Bennett, et al., No. 09 C 1943 (N.D. Ill.).

Northwestern, which fully cooperated during the investigation, did not admit liability as part of the settlement.

“Allowing researchers to use federal grant money to pay for personal travel, hotels, and meals and to hire unqualified friends and relatives as ‘consultants’ violates the public trust and federal law,” Mr. Shapiro said. “This settlement, combined with the willingness of insiders to report fraud, should help deter such misconduct, but when it doesn’t, federal grant recipients who allow the system to be manipulated should know that we will aggressively pursue all available legal remedies,” he added.

“The mismanagement or improper expenditure of grant funds is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Lamont Pugh, III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General-Chicago Region. “The OIG will continue to diligently investigate allegations of this nature to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being properly utilized.”

Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said, “The FBI takes allegations of fraud seriously, especially those allegations from insiders who are often in the best position to detect wrongdoing long before it would otherwise come to the attention of law enforcement.”

Northwestern agreed to pay the settlement within 14 business days. The agreement covers allegations that the university submitted false claims to NIH for costs that Dr. Bennett incurred on his grant-funded research projects involving adverse drug-events, multiple myeloma drugs, a blood disorder known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and quality of care for cancer patients. Dr. Bennett allegedly billed those federal grants for family trips, meals and hotels for himself and friends, and “consulting fees” for unqualified friends and family members, including his brother and cousin. At Dr. Bennett’s request, Northwestern also allegedly improperly subcontracted with various universities for services that were paid for by the NIH grants.

The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt N. Lindland.

Under the federal False Claims Act, defendants may be liable for triple the amount of actual damages and civil penalties between $5,500 and $11,000 for each violation. Individual whistleblowers may be eligible to receive between 15 and 30 percent of the amount of any recovery.

Tweet

Great Reviews for "The Sound of Things Falling" by Juan Gabriel Vasquez #MedellinCartel

From a global literary star comes a prize-winning tour de force – an intimate portrayal of the drug wars in Colombia.

Juan Gabriel Vásquez has been hailed not only as one of South America’s greatest literary stars, but also as one of the most acclaimed writers of his generation. In this gorgeously wrought, award-winning novel, Vásquez confronts the history of his home country, Colombia.

In the city of Bogotá, Antonio Yammara reads an article about a hippo that had escaped from a derelict zoo once owned by legendary Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. The article transports Antonio back to when the war between Escobar’s Medellín cartel and government forces played out violently in Colombia’s streets and in the skies above. Back then, Antonio witnessed a friend’s murder, an event that haunts him still. As he investigates, he discovers the many ways in which his own life and his friend’s family have been shaped by his country’s recent violent past. His journey leads him all the way back to the 1960s and a world on the brink of change: a time before narco-trafficking trapped a whole generation in a living nightmare.

Vásquez is “one of the most original new voices of Latin American literature,” according to Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa, and The Sound of Things Falling is his most personal, most contemporary novel to date, a masterpiece that takes his writing—and will take his literary star—even higher

* One of NPR’s 6 Best Books of the Summer
* Esquire recommends The Sound of Things Falling “if you read only one book this month”
* Starred early reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Kirkus
* Lauded by Jonathan Franzen, E. L. Doctorow and many others

Tweet

George Willis @NYPost_Willis Discusses "The Bite Fight: Tyson, Holyfield and the Night that Changed Boxing Forever" on #CrimeBeatRadio

On August 1st, George Willis, author of The Bite Fight: Tyson, Holyfield and the Night that Changed Boxing Forever to appear on Crime Beat Radio.

Crime Beat is a weekly hour-long radio program that airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. EST. Crime Beat presents fascinating topics that bring listeners closer to the dynamic underbelly of the world of crime. Guests have included ex-mobsters, undercover law enforcement agents, sports officials, informants, prisoners, drug dealers and investigative journalists, who have provided insights and fresh information about the world’s most fascinating subject: crime.

Tweet

An Offer That Can't Be Refused: Experience @TheMobMuseum and @NeonMuseum for Just One Great Price

For the first time, The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, and The Neon Museum are partnering to offer guests one ticket to two great museums for $30, an average savings of 30 percent. Guests now have the chance to book one daytime tour for the Neon Museum and then visit the Mob Museum with this special same-day offer. Both attractions are located in downtown Las Vegas, approximately 10 minutes apart from one another.

The Mob Museum presents an exciting and authentic view of organized crime’s impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world while the Neon Museum is the world’s largest collection of neon signage displayed in a two-acre Neon Boneyard featuring 150 rescued architectural landmarks from iconic Las Vegas properties ranging from the 1930s to present day.

“We have worked hard to make this collaboration a reality,” says Jonathan Ullman, executive director and chief executive officer, The Mob Museum. “In doing so, our guests will encounter two unique and entertaining perspectives on the incredible events and iconic signage that made this city famous.”

With engaging exhibits, high-tech theater presentations and more than 600 artifacts, The Mob Museum houses the largest collection of Mob and related law enforcement memorabilia under one roof. During the guided Neon Museum tour, guests will learn about the unique stories regarding the personalities who created the signs, their inspirations, where and when the signs were made and the role they played in Las Vegas’ colorful history.

“We know our Museums offer distinct yet complementary versions of Las Vegas history, so it’s a thrill to offer guests one ticket that enables them to experience both sides in one day,” concludes Danielle Kelly, executive director, The Neon Museum.

Currently, The Neon Museum offers day-time guided tours seven days a week at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The Mob Museum is also open seven days per week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

To purchase tickets, go to www.TheMobMuseum.org or call (702) 229-2734.

Tweet

Nancy and Lisa Smith of the Big Blend Tour @BigBlendMag to Appear on #CrimeBeatRadio

On July 25th, Nancy and Lisa Smith of the Big Blend Tour appear on Crime Beat Radio.

Crime Beat is a weekly hour-long radio program that airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. EST. Crime Beat presents fascinating topics that bring listeners closer to the dynamic underbelly of the world of crime. Guests have included ex-mobsters, undercover law enforcement agents, sports officials, informants, prisoners, drug dealers and investigative journalists, who have provided insights and fresh information about the world’s most fascinating subject: crime.

Tweet