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Fraud – False Claims Act – Settlement share
Where a plaintiff has moved for a statutory share of False Claims Act settlement proceeds, the relator’s motion should be denied because he planned and initiated the underlying fraud upon which the action was brought and was convicted of criminal conduct arising from his role in the violation of 31 U.S.C. §3729.
Feds broaden criminal case against Cape Cod state rep
Federal prosecutors expanded the criminal case against Rep. Christopher Flanagan, adding charges that he laundered stolen money through his campaign account, filed false tax returns, and used misappropriated funds for personal expenses.
Securities – Fraud – Loss causation
Where a putative federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed, the complaint must be dismissed because the plaintiff fails to adequately plead loss causation.
Consumer watchdog group files suit alleging Meta profited on ads for scams
The Consumer Federation of America filed a class-action suit in Washington, D.C., alleging Meta profited from scam ads and misled users about safety efforts.
Real estate agent pleads guilty to $11M embezzlement
The former owner of a South Shore real estate firm has pleaded guilty to embezzlement and other financial crimes and has been sentenced.
U.S. attorney announces new unit to target ‘benefit and voter fraud’
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley announces a new team to aggressively investigate "benefit and voter fraud" in Massachusetts.
Boston lawyers secure $209K verdict for victim of email scam
A federal judge awarded nearly $209K to a businessman whose wire transfer was diverted in an email hacking scam, finding a Massachusetts intermediary liable for conversion.
Boston lawyer sentenced to 39 months for $2 million client fraud
Boston lawyer Patrick J. Dolan sentenced to 39 months in prison and ordered to pay over $2 million for defrauding clients in a trust lawsuit.
Trio scores $1.1M judgment for defrauded bride-to-be
Suffolk Superior Court jury awards $1.1M to woman defrauded by fiancé in Milton home purchase and GT Group scheme, rejecting Heart Balm Act defense.
Complaint alleges Worcester pastor used investor money for lavish trips
A Worcester pastor is accused of fraudulently using investor money for lavish trips, raising $10 million but diverting some funds for personal expenses.
U.S. Attorney’s Office charges 4 in $1M SNAP and pandemic benefits fraud scheme
Federal prosecutors charged four defendants with using stolen identities to steal over $1 million in SNAP food aid and pandemic unemployment benefits across multiple states.
Fraud – False Claims Act – Sovereign immunity
Where a False Claims Act complaint alleging retaliation at Veterans Affairs Maine Healthcare System was dismissed, the judgment of dismissal should be affirmed because Congress has not expressly waived the federal government's sovereign immunity to permit FCA-based retaliation claims against federal employers.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Injury during baby’s adenoidectomy leads to stroke
- Construction worker’s hand caught in cement mixer
- Worker trapped in freezer, dies during steam cleaning
- Pedestrian, 69, hit by motor vehicle while in crosswalk
- Four-vehicle pileup leaves driver with spinal cord injury
- Nursing home staff blamed for kidney-failure death
- Pharmacy’s late delivery blamed for patient’s death
- Man, 25, drowns after swimming lesson at fitness club
Opinion Digests
- Jurisdiction – Forum selection clause – Non-signatory
- Criminal – Responsibility
- Attorneys – Lien
- Landlord and tenant – Default judgment
- Zoning – Constructive grant – Comprehensive permit
- Fraud – False Claims Act – Settlement share
- Civil practice – Discovery – Cybersecurity
