Friday, April 06, 2007
ELIOT TAPS TOP FED AS MED-FRAUD COP
NEW YORK POST
April 6, 2007 -- Gov. Spitzer has tapped a nationally recognized Philadelphia federal prosecutor to be his pit bull against Medicaid and health-care fraud, The Post has learned.
James Sheehan - who handled more than 500 health-care fraud cases as associate U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania - will be the state's new Medicaid inspector general.
The watchdog position was created last year.
Sheehan, 54, is considered a national expert on using whistleblower laws to root out massive fraud - helping collect more than $600 million from alleged wrongdoers.
He led the federal government's recovery of $332 million from SmithKline Beecham Clinical Labs in a settlement over fraudulent Medicare billing.
Sheehan also spearheaded the case against Medco Health Solutions, which resulted in a $155 million settlement. The pharmaceutical management firm was accused of canceling and destroying prescriptions and offering kickbacks to firms to promote its medications and obtain business.
Sheehan won national honors for his vigorous prosecutions.
Spitzer - the former state attorney general - said Sheehan is the right guy to be the watchdog for New York's $50 billion Medicaid program.
"As a career prosecutor specializing in complex health-care enforcement and recovery matters, Mr. Sheehan has experience rooting out fraud that dramatically drives up costs and severely threatens the efficiency and delivery of health-care services," Spitzer said.
"New York state's health-care spending is the highest in the nation, and our system requires dramatic reform. Mr. Sheehan will bring his experience and energy to that effort."
Sheehan said he's eager to monitor the Medicaid program. His appointment requires confirmation from the state Senate.
April 6, 2007 -- Gov. Spitzer has tapped a nationally recognized Philadelphia federal prosecutor to be his pit bull against Medicaid and health-care fraud, The Post has learned.
James Sheehan - who handled more than 500 health-care fraud cases as associate U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania - will be the state's new Medicaid inspector general.
The watchdog position was created last year.
Sheehan, 54, is considered a national expert on using whistleblower laws to root out massive fraud - helping collect more than $600 million from alleged wrongdoers.
He led the federal government's recovery of $332 million from SmithKline Beecham Clinical Labs in a settlement over fraudulent Medicare billing.
Sheehan also spearheaded the case against Medco Health Solutions, which resulted in a $155 million settlement. The pharmaceutical management firm was accused of canceling and destroying prescriptions and offering kickbacks to firms to promote its medications and obtain business.
Sheehan won national honors for his vigorous prosecutions.
Spitzer - the former state attorney general - said Sheehan is the right guy to be the watchdog for New York's $50 billion Medicaid program.
"As a career prosecutor specializing in complex health-care enforcement and recovery matters, Mr. Sheehan has experience rooting out fraud that dramatically drives up costs and severely threatens the efficiency and delivery of health-care services," Spitzer said.
"New York state's health-care spending is the highest in the nation, and our system requires dramatic reform. Mr. Sheehan will bring his experience and energy to that effort."
Sheehan said he's eager to monitor the Medicaid program. His appointment requires confirmation from the state Senate.
