The state claims tens of millions in fraud in the Medicaid program, but some home care and family planning providers say their expenses are legitimate.
Category: Broken Whistle
This series explores Gov. Scott Walker’s attack on waste, fraud and abuse and the dwindling protections and incentives for whistleblowers in Wisconsin.
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Long-time judge: Some ‘independent’ doctors routinely rule against injured workers
As an administrative law judge hearing worker’s compensation cases in Wisconsin for three decades, Joe Schaeve said he often knew how certain doctors hired by employers and insurance companies would rule even before opening their reports.
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Money & Politics
Injured Wisconsin workers face higher hurdles when seeking compensation
Under Gov. Scott Walker-appointed panel, appeals of worker’s compensation decisions are up, and a study shows more injured workers lost
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety
Joell Schigur warned bosses of possible illegal activity, but Wisconsin courts ruled she is not a whistleblower
Dissenting Supreme Court justice called 2015 decision ‘absurd,’ saying it removes protections for employees who disclose information their supervisors already know
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety
Two Wisconsin whistleblowers recall journeys from reporting to ‘retaliation’
Two state employees say they were humiliated and harassed after reporting suspected fraud in their agencies; ‘You feel rotten,’ Suzanne Weber said
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety
Defining Wisconsin’s whistleblower law
Whistleblowing traditionally has been seen as a public-private effort to expose wrongdoing, said Patrick Burns, associate director of Taxpayers Against Fraud, whose group works to protect and advance the cause of whistleblowers.
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Money & Politics
Wisconsin taxpayers lose out on millions after Gov. Scott Walker, lawmakers repeal anti-fraud law
Big business pushed to eliminate incentives for whistleblowers reporting Medicaid fraud; feds responded by cutting millions in settlements awarded to Wisconsin
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Money & Politics
‘Qui tam’: The citizens’ sword
Civil lawsuits such as the one brought by former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager are known as “qui tam” cases. The word is taken from a Latin phrase that means, “He who brings the action for the king as well as himself.”
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety, Money & Politics
Wisconsin’s attack on waste and fraud leaves some whistleblowers, vulnerable residents behind
Wisconsin ‘one of the worst states for whistleblowing,’ national expert says. Anti-fraud effort helps bottom line but falls mostly on programs for the poor.
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety, Money & Politics
DOJ agent who blew the whistle in 2012 says experience ruined him
Dan Bethards lost his career, his house and many of his friends in law enforcement after he reported his boss for selling and making guns without a license
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety, Money & Politics
Wisconsin’s congressional delegation seeks to both protect, curb whistleblowing
While President Donald Trump stews about leakers, members of Congress from the state sponsor various measures that could either boost or sideline federal tipsters