Legal Insights & Case Updates | Miller Shah LLP Blog

September 02, 2025

Whistleblowers, FCA Qui Tam

$36M COVID Fraud Case Shows How Tax Preparers Can Trigger FCA Liability

On July 21, 2025, Farooq Khan was sentenced to 42 months in prison for participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $3.6 million in minor business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program implemented by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Khan owned and managed Hannan Tax Services, a tax preparation company based in Chicago.…

August 28, 2025

Whistleblowers, FCA Qui Tam

Billions Recovered Through the IRS Whistleblower Program

Whistleblowers and the IRS Whistleblower Program have been vital in promoting fairness and accountability within the nation’s tax administration. As of June 2025, the IRS has paid over $1.3 billion awards based on the successful collection of $7.5 billion in restitution from noncompliant taxpayers, since issuing its first award in 2007. In Fiscal Year 2024, the IRS paid awards totaling $123.5 million based on whistleblower information on tax and other…

August 25, 2025

discrimination

Court Revives Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against Clariant After Clerk’s Firing

Dawn Hayes worked in an all-male factory as a logistics clerk for Clarient Plastics & Coatings USA Inc until 2018, when she was fired. Management fired Hayes during a company-wide reduction, explaining that she possessed fewer skills than her male coworkers. Hayes disagreed and filed suit, claiming that she was fired not because of her abilities, but because she is a woman. 6th Circuit Ruling on Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Initially,…

August 21, 2025

ERISA

Nokia Hit with $100M 401(k) Lawsuit Over Alleged ERISA Violation

On July 18, 2025, two former employees (“Plaintiffs”) of Nokia of America Corporation (“Nokia” or the “Company”) filed a class action lawsuit against the Company, as well as Nokia’s Administrative Oversight Committee, Pension & Benefit Investment Committee, Employee Benefits Committee, and the Nokia Investment Management Corporation (“NIMCO”) in New Jersey federal court. The suit alleges that Nokia mismanaged the Nokia Savings/401(K) Plan (the “Plan”) by investing in at least two…

August 20, 2025

Whistleblowers, FCA Qui Tam

What Is Medical Upcoding? How Inflated Billing Can Trigger False Claims Act Liability

Medical upcoding is a form of healthcare fraud that involves billing for more expensive services than were actually provided. This practice can expose providers to liability under the False Claims Act (FCA) and has been the focus of numerous DOJ enforcement actions. Miller Shah LLP is familiar with billing fraud as they have extensive experience in litigating healthcare fraud cases. What is Medical Upcoding? Medical upcoding refers to fraudulent billing…

August 14, 2025

Whistleblowers, FCA Qui Tam

OSHA Self-Audit Programs That Can Lead to Whistleblower Claims

OSHA launches new self-audit initiatives to strengthen compliance with federal labor laws. On July 24, 2024, OSHA issued a press release detailing several new programs intended to help employers comply with federal labor laws. The programs focus on strengthening self-audits, in an effort to not only bolster compliance, but also protect workers and reduce the chance of costly and lengthy litigation or investigation. Although these programs span several industries, OSHA…

August 14, 2025

Misclassification, Employment

Are Telehealth Physicians Being Misclassified as Independent Contractors? Key Warning Signs for Virtual Care Providers

Expansion of Telehealth Services and Worker Misclassification Risks Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services expanded nationwide, allowing patients to receive care at reduced costs and allowing providers the ability to use digital platforms to efficiently address the needs of more patients. The rise of telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery, but it has also introduced new risks of worker misclassification. Many telehealth physicians may be improperly classified as independent contractors when…

August 13, 2025

discrimination

Montclair State Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Disability Discrimination and FMLA Retaliation

Montclair State University Lawsuit Over Medical Leave and Termination Montclair State University is facing a lawsuit from a former employee -- Odessa Donzella -- who alleges she was fired after taking medical leave for celiac disease, claiming the university violated disability discrimination laws and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). She made two separate medical leave requests, and each went largely unaddressed. Shortly after submitting her first request for…

August 12, 2025

Whistleblowers, FCA Qui Tam

Founder of Lender Service Convicted in Multimillion-Dollar PPP Fraud Scheme

On June 20, 2025, Stephanie Hockridge, founder of service provider Blueacorn, received a federal jury conviction in connection with her fraudulent applications to the Small Business Association’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). She was convicted of four counts of wire fraud as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud, facing up to 20 years in prison. Blueacorn’s mission was, purportedly, to assist small businesses and individuals with applying for and obtaining…

August 05, 2025

Business and Corporate Services

What Is the FAIR Business Practices Act? New York Expands Consumer Protection Laws

New York Passes the FAIR Business Practices Act On June 18, the New York legislature passed the Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable Business Practices Act (“FAIR Business Practices Act”), a program bill meant to prohibit not only deceptive, but also unfair and abusive business practices that harm consumers and small businesses. The FAIR Business Practices Act, a program bill from the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) and championed…

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