Medical Clinic Owner Accused of $38 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
According to allegations in the federal grand jury indictment, Armando Valdes, age 63, collected nearly $38 million in proceeds from fraudulent health care claims to United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Navy Seize Terrorist Organization’s Anti-Tank Missiles and 1.1 Million Gallons of Petroleum
In three separate incidents, the U.S. Navy seized 171 surface-to-air missiles, eight anti-tank missiles and 1.1 million barrels of petroleum products worth $261 million from two Iranian ships in the Arabian Sea.
White House Delays Vaccine Mandate Disciplinary Actions While the Pentagon Doubles Down
This week, the Biden administration delayed suspensions and firings for federal employees until 2022 despite 97 percent compliance with the mandate.
Alternately, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the Department of Defense (DOD) will not pay National Guard members who refuse to receive to comply with the federal vaccine mandate.
U.S. Navy Caught in Another International Corruption Scandal with Contractor
Frank Rafaraci, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Multinational Logistics Services (MLS) – a large ship husbanding company – pleaded not guilty to a charge of bribery in federal court on October 18, 2021.
Federal Circuit: Yes, You Can Be Terminated for One Bad Email
On October 8, 2021, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that federal employees can be fired for one e-mail, if the e-mail is sufficiently disrespectful. The employee appealed his removal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
Federal Circuit: Preselection Coupled With Service Discrimination Violates USERRA
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit described the litigation of a case it adjudicated on May 14, 2021 as “the decade-long journey of a hard-working man who served his country honorably, only to face workplace discrimination on the basis of that service.” In its opinion, the Federal Circuit held that the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) erred in finding that the candidate’s nonselection for a position at the Department of the Navy would have occurred “regardless of his prior military service.”
Former NCIS Agent Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Part in “Fat Leonard” Scandal
John Beliveau II, the former federal investigator, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. In addition to his prison sentence for disclosing sensitive information to a defense contractor in exchange for cash, luxury travel, and prostitutes, Beliveau was ordered to pay $20 million in restitution to the Department of the Navy.