Trial of four Columbia/HCA executives gets under way
By MEREDITH BONNER
HHBR Editor
The government’s Medicare fraud case against four mid-level Columbia/HCA Healthcare (Nashville, TN) executives began last week, and attorneys for the defendants are questioning the motives of some of the trial’s first witnesses.
According to an Associated Press report, defense attorneys said Tuesday that government witnesses most likely will lie during the trial, adding that they are questioning the motives of those witnesses during opening statements.
Witnesses appearing for the prosecution include alleged co-conspirators testifying in exchange for immunity and former Columbia employees who stand to gain from whistleblower lawsuits. Under federal law, a whistleblower is entitled to as much as 25% of any money the government recovers.
The four defendants, who have all pleaded not guilty, include Carl Dick, who was CFO of Columbia’s central Florida division; Jay Jarrell, who most recently served as CEO of Columbia’s southwest Florida division; Michael Neeb, former CFO of Columbia’s northern Florida division; and Robert Whiteside, who served as director of Columbia’s single-markets division.
During the trial, plaintiffs will decide whether the defendants tried to bilk the government of $2.8 million by filing false Medicare cost reports. The trial will be held in U.S. District Court in Tampa, FL.
Federal investigators in 1997 began a widespread probe into the company’s Medicare billing practices at some of its home health agencies and hospitals. The investigation has led to the divestiture of Columbia’s home care division, the closing of numerous hospitals across the country, and the indictment of several employees.
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