Source: US State Government of Utah
A Brazilian man has pleaded guilty before a magistrate judge to conspiring to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking, and the district court accepted the guilty plea. On June 1, the district court also accepted the guilty pleas of five co-defendants.
Source: US State of Connecticut
Dear Colleagues,
I want to start by thanking each one of you for making UConn Health such a special place to train, teach, provide care, receive care and perform research. This week, I had the privilege of speaking at our Health Sciences and Medical Development fundraising team’s retreat in the Outpatient Pavilion. This group of fundraising professionals is a key part of the UConn Foundation team. As the team continues to grow, this was a valuable opportunity to provide greater insight into UConn Health, our strategic vision, and fundraising priorities.
I enjoyed speaking with this group, as they play an essential role in sharing our story with current and prospective donors. Each time I reflect on and communicate the story of UConn Health’s past, present and future, I am reminded of how far we have come and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Our progress is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of each of you. Your efforts continue to drive our success and advance our mission every day.
At the retreat, I started by explaining what we are as an organization. You’ll notice from the graphic below that we’ve evolved from when we used to only be a public entity.
I also presented a snapshot of the makeup of our public entity which might serve as a refresher for some readers:
As you can see from the graphic above, our total revenues are $2.1 billion, which represents amazing growth over the last decade. What you may not be aware of is that the state portion of our revenues is 8% or $144 million. The rest of the $2.1 billion represents internally generated revenues, with the majority being from patient care. As you can see from the graphic below we internally allocate most of that state revenue to our schools and research with only $10 million of the $144 million going to our clinical enterprise.
You may recall that we have a strategy to eliminate the reliance of the clinical enterprise on state operational support, and we are making headway, as you can see from the chart below, in which the $10 million to the clinical enterprise will become $5 million next year. One important caveat is that we are requesting funding to cover wage increases negotiated at the state level.
Before I leave the topic of the accomplishments each of you has driven over the years, I want to emphasize that no matter your role, you are critical to the mission of UConn Health. For example Dr. Scott Allen, our chief medical officer, sent this email to our facilities leadership this week:
Gentlemen: Each year, the residents who are leaving UConn (almost all are graduating) fill out a survey of their experience at the various hospitals in the Consortium. This year, JDH received the highest score (4.30/5.00) for “Cleanliness and upkeep of facility.” So, please extend a note of appreciation to your staff that maintain JDH in the great condition it is in. This is not just inside the walls of the hospital, but our grounds outside as well.
Of note: we received the highest score last year as well.😊
Scott
Please join me in thanking J.J. Odom, our building and grounds director, and the whole Environmental Services Department.
Along the lines of supporting our employees, we are entering the final week of our 2026 Employee Engagement Survey. So far, 2,454 employees, 46% of our workforce, have participated. Thank you to everyone who has responded. This is meaningful progress, but we are not yet where we need to be to reach our 65% goal.
This week, Jonathan, our Husky mascot, walked an impressive 9.5 miles across UConn Health, visiting employees and departments during our survey engagement tour. Thank you to everyone who welcomed him and helped build energy around the survey. Now, we need to turn that energy into participation.
The number matters because representation matters. Participation remains uneven across UConn Health, particularly among some of our hospital, clinical and frontline teams. We need stronger participation from every part of our workforce if the results are to give us a complete understanding of the employee experience and help us make the right decisions about where improvement is needed.
If you haven’t already done so, please take a few minutes today, if possible, to complete the survey. I’ve completed it and it takes less than 15 minutes, and responses are confidential.
Press Ganey sent a reminder Thursday morning containing your unique link. You may also use the Employee Engagement Survey shortcut on your computer desktop or the QR code on our Take the Survey page.
I would also ask our leaders to make this a priority during the upcoming week: Speak directly with your teams, reach employees across every shift, and provide time and access to complete the survey when operationally possible.
The survey is scheduled to close on Friday, Aug 7. If you have already participated, thank you. If you have not, please take the time now; do not wait. Progress happens together, and we need everyone’s participation to shape what comes next.
This week we announced the arrival of Antoinette Schoenthaler as our new AVP for inclusion and health equity.
Antoinette is coming to us from NYU Langone Health and its Institute for Excellence in Health Equity and brings an impressive record of leadership in advancing health equity and inclusivity across health systems, academic medicine, and national partnerships. She will report to Dr. Jeffery Hines, VP of our Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights, and me, with the charge of working with key stakeholders to advance diversity, inclusion, belonging, and health equity initiatives throughout our organization. Please read more about her on The Hub.
Antoinette is joining us in September. Let’s be sure to give her a warm UConn Health welcome!
I’d like to take a moment to recognize Dr. Peter Schulman, who is retiring after 44 years of service in our medical school and Calhoun Cardiology Center.
Hundreds of students, residents, and fellows have gained from Peter’s wise mentorship, while thousands of patients have benefited from his outstanding patient care. In all ways he is a model to generations of cardiologists. Our institution, our state, and the field of medicine are better off because of him. I invite you to take a moment to read more about Peter and his reflections on his time here on UConn Today.
Please join me in thanking Peter for his legacy of excellence and wishing him the very best in retirement. We certainly will miss him!
I have a wonderful patient letter to share with you to close the week. This was sent to our radiology leadership (edited for privacy):
[Recently] I visited the MSI 1st floor for an imaging appointment and was greeted at the front desk by Tafaria Jackson. She was warm, welcoming, and incredibly efficient, checking me in quickly and making the process seamless.
While I waited for my appointment, I heard her greet each patient who arrived. Even without hearing every conversation, I could “hear” the smile in her voice. She found a genuine way to connect with each person and make them feel welcome. I also noticed her patiently explaining the parking process to several elderly patients and offering a gentleman a wet towel after something had spilled. These small acts of kindness spoke volumes about her attentiveness and kindness.
I wanted to let you know that you have an excellent first point of contact in your department. Tafaria made a great impression, and her professionalism, kindness, and genuine care set a wonderful tone for the entire patient experience. She is truly an asset to your team.
What a fantastic acknowledgement of Tafaria representing UConn Health in such a positive — and noticeable — manner! Thank you, Tafaria, for making such an impact.
And thank you, to everyone reading this, for all you do.
Andrew C. Agwunobi, MD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
EVP for Health Affairs
UConn Health
Why can’t the shuttle pick employees up at the end of lot MR1 (Munson Road)? It takes half the time of walking to main campus as it does to walk from the lot to the front of the Munson Road building to meet the shuttle. The lack of parking is already an inconvenience.
Good question. As Janel Simpson, our chief administrative officer, explains, the shuttles have designated drop-off and pick-up locations to prioritize pedestrian safety and maintain predictable schedules. These specific stops are selected to minimize potential hazards for pedestrians and assist shuttle drivers in adhering to a reliable timetable, ensuring efficient service.
We appreciate your understanding as we continually assess measures that enhance both safety and timeliness.
There are very large wasps that are flying around the ivy beds surrounding the main hospital. Several of them are harassing people walking out of the buildings. Which department handles insects?
Our building and grounds team oversees pest control and, I’m happy to report, already has taken care of this.
Thank you for bringing it to our attention, and thank you to J.J. Odom, our building and grounds director, for working with our vendor to handle in a timely manner.
Have something you want to ask Dr. Andy? Submit your question on The Hub.
Note: Unlinked content is only available on The Hub, for which you must be on the UConn Health network to access.
Read about a protein shake found to have benefits for those with Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Peter Schulman reflects on more than four decades of cardiology and academic medicine at UConn Health.
Plus, we announce the coming arrival of Antoinette Schoenthaler as our new AVP for inclusion and health equity — Go to The Hub now for these and other announcements and features and stay up to date with the latest UConn Health news!
Source: US State of California
A three-count complaint charging was unsealed today charging Mohammad Yousef Hasna, also known as “Orhan Korkmaz” and “Abu al-Baraa,” 45, of Istanbul, Turkey, with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, a U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), and related terrorism financing charges. As alleged, Hasna used his senior role at a purported global humanitarian organization to coordinate directly with Hamas’s senior leadership regarding the delivery of funds and supplies to Gaza, and the distribution of those funds and supplies at Hamas leadership’s instructions. Hasna was arrested in the United Kingdom today.
“The money that flows from sham charities like the one described in the complaint fuels Hamas’s terrorist activities, including the atrocities the group committed on October 7,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Hamas cannot function without injections of money through its illicit financial networks. The National Security Division will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt Hamas’s operations, including through the prosecutions such as this.”
“Mohammad Hasna is alleged to have abused his position as the global director of a purported humanitarian organization to raise money and provide funds and supplies to Hamas, a brutal terrorist organization responsible for the murders of dozens of Americans and over a thousand other innocent victims, including as part of the heinous atrocities of October 7,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald for the Southern District of New York. “Hasna worked closely with Hamas’s senior leadership to deliver supplies, food, funding, and other materials to terrorists under the guise of humanitarian aid. Our arrest of Mohammad Hasna demonstrates our commitment to dismantling Hamas’s illicit global financing networks and the sham charities that support terrorist organizations and their violent aims using the lie of philanthropy.”
“The accused allegedly used a purported humanitarian aid organization to raise funds and provide financing and supplies to Hamas, a ruthless international terrorist organization,” said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “According to the criminal complaint, the defendant coordinated his actions closely with a senior leader of Hamas and knew the resources were going to that group rather than to needy non-combatants. The FBI is committed to cutting off funding and other assistance to terrorist organizations and will continue to work closely with our U.S. government and international partners to present a united front against global terrorism.”
According to the allegations contained in the complaint, Hasna is the global director of a purported international charity registered in the United Kingdom (the “Sham Charity”). In that role, Hasna allegedly provided financing and commodities to Hamas, including by coordinating extensively with individuals at the highest levels of Hamas. As alleged, Hasna worked closely with senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad (Hamad), a member of Hamas’s governing body known as the Politburo and the Minster for the Ministry of Social Development in Gaza (MoSD), a putative governmental agency that is controlled by Hamas.
Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya, commonly known as Hamas, is a terrorist organization that was founded in 1987, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States since 1997. From its inception, Hamas’s stated purpose has been to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the State of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad. Hamas also promotes attacks against the United States and its citizens, and over more than two decades, Hamas has murdered and injured dozens of Americans as part of its campaign of violence and terror. On October 7, 2023, Hamas committed its most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date (the “October 7 Hamas Massacres”) when Hamas sent more than 2,000-armed fighters into farms and towns in southern Israel, where they carried out the massacres of over a thousand people and the kidnappings of 251 hostages.
Following the October 7 Hamas Massacres, in its disclosures to UK authorities, the Sham Charity reported that its total gross income nearly doubled from approximately $41.8 million USD in fiscal year 2023, to approximately $81.56 million USD in fiscal year 2024. The Sham Charity represented that it spent approximately $91 million on charitable activities in the fiscal year ending July 31, 2025.
Since at least 2023, Hasna and Hamad coordinated the delivery of purported humanitarian aid organized by or allocated to the Sham Charity into Gaza for Hamas’s benefit, repeatedly coordinating the delivery of supplies, food, and other items by Hasna (under the guise of humanitarian aid from the Sham Charity) directly into Hamad’s and Hamas’s hands. In coordination with Hamad and at Hamad’s direction, Hasna allegedly arranged (1) deliveries of cash to Hamad; (2) the procurement of supplies for import to Gaza; (3) transportation of supplies into Gaza by truck from Egypt and elsewhere; (4) deliveries to warehouses controlled by the Sham Charity or by MoSD, according to Hamad’s instructions; and (5) distribution of those supplies to lists of recipients identified by Hamad. As part of this scheme, Hasna and Hamad concealed where the supplies were being delivered or stored, including by misrepresenting that supplies were being delivered to MoSD when in fact they were being delivered to warehouses controlled by Hasna; having supplies delivered initially to MoSD but then redistributed to the actual receiving parties; and taking pictures and videos of the supplies that omitted any signage inside the warehouses that would reveal their location or control.
Hasna is charged with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism, and financing terrorism, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
A federal district judge will determine their sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division thanks the U.K. authorities and the Israeli Security Agency for their assistance with this investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the United Kingdom’s law enforcement authorities provided significant assistance.
This case is being handled by the Southern District of New York’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner, Michael D. Lockard, and Juliana N. Murray are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Alicia Cook of the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: US State of Georgia
ATLANTA (July 31, 2026) — This week, Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III (R–Perry) attended the 2026 National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago, where he joined Representative Beth Camp (R–Concord) onstage during NCSL’s closing general session to accept NCSL’s host state gavel from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. The ceremonial gavel signifies the transition to Georgia as the next host state for the Legislative Summit, which will be held in Atlanta from August 9–11, 2027.
“It’s an honor for Georgia to accept the host state gavel and begin the countdown to welcoming our nation’s legislators and legislative staff to Atlanta in 2027,” said President Pro Tempore Walker. “The Legislative Summit is one of the premier gatherings of state leaders in the country, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to showcase everything that makes Georgia such a special place. From our thriving economy and world-class venues to our unmatched Southern hospitality, Atlanta is the perfect place to bring together policymakers from across America. I look forward to welcoming our colleagues to the Peach State and providing them with an unforgettable experience.”
The NCSL Legislative Summit brings together state legislators and legislative staff from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories for three days of collaboration, innovation and bipartisan dialogue. As the nation’s largest gathering of state legislators and legislative staff, the Summit provides opportunities for attendees to discuss emerging policy issues and share best practices for effective governance.
Founded in 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures serves America’s state legislatures by providing bipartisan research, technical assistance, professional development and opportunities for interstate collaboration. Every state legislator and legislative staff member is a member of NCSL and has access to its extensive policy resources and educational programming.
For more information about the National Conference of State Legislatures, visit www.ncsl.org.
# # # #
Sen. Larry Walker III serves as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties, as well as a portion of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Source: US State of Idaho
Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Touring Idaho’s New Firing Squad Chamber
Dear Friends,
Last week I toured the newly completed execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) in Kuna. I want to thank IDOC Director Bree Derrick and Division of Prisons Chief Liz Neville for taking the time to walk my team and me through the new facility and answer our questions.
What struck me most was how deliberate and careful every part of the process is. This is not a facility run by people who take this responsibility lightly. It is a solemn legal obligation carried out with precision, restraint, and an understanding of the gravity of what is taking place.
My office defends Idaho’s laws in court, and few parts of that work carry the weight of capital litigation. When death row inmates challenge their sentences on appeal, year after year and decade after decade, it is attorneys in my office—assigned to the Capital Litigation Unit and to represent IDOC—who answer those appeals.
Most people don’t realize how the process unfolds. After a sentence of death is final, the state is required to seek a warrant for the execution of the condemned. The warrant must specify the date of the execution, not more than 30 days from the day the warrant is signed. My office spends nearly every day between the signing of the warrant and the execution in court. The condemend’s attorneys spend those days filing challenges in state and federal court—all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. My office will be responding to every one of them.
An execution can then move forward on the date set in the warrant unless a court with jurisdiction has entered a stay—meaning a hold or pause on the executuion. Most Idahoans never see that part of the process. They see the outcome, but not the years of litigation followed by the usually intense legal activity during those final thirty days.
Under Idaho regulations, the Attorney General, or a designee, is allowed to be present in the state’s witness area during an execution. I sat in that viewing room in February 2024. Before an execution can proceed, IDOC’s director is required to confer with the Attorney General, or a designee, and the Governor, or a designee, to confirm there is no legal impediment to moving forward.
That is not a responsibility I take lightly. It is one of the reasons I chose to tour the facility now that its renovation is complete. I believe that if the state is going to carry out a sentence of death, it has an obligation to do so carefully, lawfully, and with the utmost respect for the gravity of the act.
I helped author the 2023 bill with Representative Bruce Skaug that brought the firing squad back to Idaho as a backup method of execution. After the unsuccessful 2024 attempt to carry out an execution by lethal injection, the Legislature went further in 2025 and made the firing squad Idaho’s primary method, with lethal injection staying as the backup.
I believe Idaho legislators made that decision because the state has an obligation to have a reliable and humane method of carrying out a lawful sentence. Lethal injection has become increasingly difficult to carry out because of drug availability, supply chain restrictions, physiological challenges and, in some cases, the difficulty of establishing reliable intravenous access. The Legislature decided that the firing squad provides a more reliable method. A society that imposes this punishment owes it to everyone involved, including the condemned, to carry it out without unnecessary suffering.
Idaho currently has eight people on death row, seven men at IMSI and one woman at the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center. Nobody who enters the execution chamber gets there quickly. Each person has the opportunity to go through, or is still going through, years of appeals in the courts seeking to stop or overturn the sentence.
It is easy to look at a person, usually decades removed from their crimes, gray and old now, and feel a kind of unease about it all. Time does that. But time does not erase what happened to the victims. They never got those decades with their families and loved ones. Their lives were cut short, and the futures they should have had were taken from them.
These are people a jury convicted of taking the lives of other human beings, often in horrific circumstances. Behind each case are victims and families who have carried the pain of those crimes for years, sometimes for generations. They, too, are part of the story.
The length of the capital appeals process means that families can wait for decades before a sentence is finally carried out. I believe that when a jury has imposed the death penalty, and every appeal has run its course, justice requires that the sentence ultimately be enacted. But I also recognize that the passage of time can make an already difficult process even more painful for victims’ families, who have spent years waiting for finality.
Standing inside the execution chamber last week was a solemn experience. I believe capital punishment can be a just response when guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt and every appeal has run its course. But there was nothing to celebrate in that room.
I thought about the victims whose lives were taken. I thought about the families who have waited years, and in some cases most of their lives, for justice to be carried out. And I thought about the responsibility that falls on those of us charged with making sure the law is followed when the state carries out its most serious punishment.
Whatever one’s views on the death penalty, this is a solemn responsibility and must always be treated that way.
Source: US State of New York
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State Police and local law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols next week to crack down on speeding. The campaign, which begins on Monday, August 3, and continues through Sunday, August 9, is the second Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee-sponsored (GTSC) high-visibility statewide enforcement effort this summer to curb speeding and prevent avoidable crashes caused by unsafe speed.
“These enforcement campaigns are crucial, as speeding continues to be a leading cause of fatal crashes each year in New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “As always, we have zero tolerance for those who endanger others by driving recklessly, so I urge everyone to do their part to keep our roadways as safe as possible by following the speed limits, avoiding distractions and never driving while impaired.”
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said, “Our message to drivers is simple: slow down and obey the posted speed limits. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to drive safely and react to unexpected hazards, putting themselves and others at risk of being involved in a potentially deadly crash. We thank our law enforcement community for helping keep our roadways as safe as possible by removing dangerous drivers.”
The prior speeding crackdown, “Speed Week 1,” was conducted from Monday, June 8, through Sunday, June 14. During that period, state and local law enforcement statewide issued a total of 56,578 tickets including 14,005 for speeding, 2,220 for distracted driving and 1,386 for impaired driving.
Among counties, Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island led in the number of tickets issued with 6,158 and 5,367, respectively. Last year, GTSC launched the “Drive Safe Long Island” campaign to specifically address speeding and other dangerous driving issues in the region. That effort includes a partnership with the Long Island Ducks baseball team to promote traffic safety at their games.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Enforcement campaigns like this demonstrate our shared commitment to raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and keeping New York’s roadways safe. Through this campaign, and our enforcement efforts year-round, we are working to reduce speed-related crashes and encourage safer driving habits. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue proactive enforcement to hold dangerous drivers accountable and help ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.”
Town of Brighton Police Department Chief and President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police David Catholdi said, “Every crash statistic represents a person, a family, and a community. The number of speed-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities we continue to see across New York serves as a powerful reminder that speeding has real and lasting consequences. By slowing down, obeying posted speed limits, and making responsible decisions behind the wheel, drivers can help prevent tragedies, save lives, and make our roadways safer for everyone.”
Ulster County Sheriff and President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Juan Figueroa said, “It’s time to slow down and enjoy summer. With longer days and nicer weather some people will be tempted to drive over the speed limit, even at levels that are dangerous and reckless. Getting to your destination a few seconds quicker is not worth the cost of a ticket, or the increased likelihood of being injured in a crash. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to be safe on the roads and obey the speed limit.”
Speeding-related fatalities affect communities nationwide every year. In 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 11,288 speed-related traffic fatalities, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities. NHTSA also says young drivers have a higher chance of being involved in speeding-related crashes. In 2024, 39 percent of male drivers and 20 percent of female drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in fatal traffic crashes were speeding.
In New York in 2024, according to data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research’s (ITSMR) Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR), there were 34,042 police-reported, speed-related crashes, 315 of which involved a fatality, and more than 12,000 of which involved a personal injury. Preliminary TSSR data for 2025 shows more than 24,000 police-reported, speed-related crashes with 231 involving a fatality and 16,644 involving an injury.
Source: US State of New York
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Source: US State of California
New York ophthalmology practices Mark D. Fromer, P.C. doing business as Fromer Eye Centers and Floral Park Ophthalmology P.C. have agreed to pay a total of $2.3 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act arising from their billing for trans-cranial doppler ultrasounds (TCDs) through a kickback arrangement with a third-party testing company. The Estate of Mark Fromer, the former owner of Fromer Eye Centers, also joined in the settlement with the practice. Both practices have agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department’s ongoing investigations of other participants in the alleged scheme.
“The integrity of healthcare decision-making depends on sound medical advice that is free from undue influence of illegal kickbacks and other improper arrangements,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department will continue to hold accountable healthcare providers who engage in such schemes.”
“Medical service providers who place profit above patients not only compromise the integrity of our health care system, but patients’ care,” stated U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Our office will continue working with our partners to combat fraud against our federal health care programs.”
“Kickback arrangements work to corrupt impartial medical decision-making and drive up health care costs for everyone,” said Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud federal health care programs.”
The settlements announced today resolve allegations that the settling practices knowingly submitted, and caused the submission of, false claims to Medicare (and, with respect to Fromer Eye, Medicaid) for medically unnecessary TCDs. The United States alleges that the settling practices performed TCDs on thousands of patients and billed Medicare and Medicaid hundreds of dollars per test. Before the patients received the results of the test, the practices and the third-party testing company allegedly identified the patients as having received a serious diagnosis that could qualify the patient for reimbursement of a TCD. However, the United States alleged that nearly all patients who received TCDs never had that diagnosis, and it was not reflected in the patient’s medical history or in the TCD results. In addition, Floral Park Ophthalmology allegedly received remuneration paid by the third-party testing company to induce the practice to refer its Medicare and Medicaid patients to the testing provider for TCDs.
The United States alleged that as a result of this scheme, the settling practices submitted, or caused the submission of, false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for TCDs that were medically unnecessary, that were premised on false diagnoses, and that resulted from violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law.
As a result of the settlements, Fromer Eye Centers and the Estate of Mark Fromer will pay $1,800,000 and Floral Park Ophthalmology will pay $500,000. Of the total settlement amounts, $384,000 will be paid to the State of New York for its share of Medicaid, which is a jointly funded federal and state program.
The civil settlements resolved claims in a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the Government’s recovery. The qui tam was filed by a whistleblower who will receive approximately $132,000 in connection with the settlement with Fromer Eye Centers.
The settlements were the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, with assistance from HHS-OIG and the FBI. The United States previously resolved similar allegations against Brandon Eye Associates P.A., Pinellas Eye Care, P.A. (doing business as Gulfcoast Eye Care), Clay Eye Holdings LLC, Retina Macula Specialist of Miami LLC, Florida Eye Institute P.A., Miami Eye LLC, and Kendall Eye Institute Inc.
The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division. Trial Attorney Nelson Wagner in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mamie Wise for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Source: US State of Connecticut
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, and Mayor Bobby Sanchez today announced that the City of New Britain has been awarded a $14.7 million federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support improvements at the intersection of Route 174 and East Street.
The improvements will realign the intersection to enhance safety, reduce congestion, improve pedestrian and bicycle access, and strengthen connections to the CTfastrak East Main Street Station.
The corridor is a two-lane roadway that carries approximately 8,000 vehicles per day in both directions. The existing offset intersection will be transformed into a traditional four-way signalized intersection, reducing vehicle conflict points and improving traffic operations. Additional upgrades include new sidewalks, modernized traffic signals, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and streetscape enhancements that will create a safer, more welcoming gateway to downtown New Britain and nearby transit-oriented development.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029 and be completed by 2031. The project will be administered by the City of New Britain with support from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
“We are building the foundation for safer roads and stronger connections that will support future growth in this area,” Governor Lamont said. “By improving access to CTfastrak and supporting nearby transit-oriented development, this project will help create new economic opportunities and bring new energy to the surrounding neighborhood.”
“This funding is a major victory for New Britain and for everyone who travels through this corridor every day,” Mayor Sanchez said. “For years, residents have identified this intersection as one of the city’s most dangerous and frustrating roadways. This grant award allows us to finally address those concerns with a project that will save lives, improve traffic flow, and create a safer, more welcoming entrance to the east side of our city. This is exactly what happens when local, state, and federal partners work together to deliver real results for our community.”
“This $14.6 million federal investment will transform a dangerous intersection into a safer, more welcoming, and efficient gateway for everyone who uses it while strengthening access to CTfastrak and supporting economic growth,” Senator Blumenthal said. “I am proud to have helped deliver this infrastructure funding, which will provide lasting benefits for New Britain, and I look forward to the safer commutes, stronger connections, and new opportunities it will bring to the community.”
“This redesign is about making it safer for auto traffic, but it’s also about making it safer for all kinds of commuters,” Senator Murphy said. “It’s an important, well-designed project and as someone with New Britain roots, I am really excited to come back to see what it looks like when this neighborhood is transformed.”
“This project is a perfect example of what federal, state, and local partnerships can accomplish,” Congresswoman Hayes said. “I am pleased to see the next phase of revitalization move forward through federal dollars I advocated for on behalf of the city. Safer roads and improved commutes will build on the progress made and work to solidify New Britain as a key urban center.”
“Modernizing this outdated Z-curve intersection will make travel safer for the thousands of people who use this corridor every day,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “We’re proud to partner with the city on this project to improve traffic flow and create safer connections for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.”
The federal BUILD grant was awarded this month through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD program, which provides funding for transportation projects that improve safety, mobility, economic opportunity, and quality of life in communities nationwide.
The project is located within New Britain’s East Side Neighborhood Revitalization Zone and supports ongoing transit-oriented development efforts on a 4.6-acre, city-owned property adjacent to the CTfastrak East Main Street Station.
This redevelopment effort is moving forward with support from a $6 million Connecticut Community Investment Fund grant to advance environmental remediation and demolition activities at the site.
Source: US State of Arkansas
Zach Jacobs currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Arkansas Department of Education in Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ administration, where he works at the intersection of education policy, executive leadership, and external and intergovernmental affairs.
Previously, Jacobs was Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia under Governor Glenn Youngkin, helping advance statewide education priorities and operational strategy. His background also includes leading state and federal government relations for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and serving on Capitol Hill as a Senior Legislative Assistant focused on appropriations, agriculture, education, energy, and national security policy. He began his career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Office of Congressional Relations under Secretary Sonny Perdue.
A native of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and a proud first-generation college graduate, Jacobs earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and National Security and Foreign Affairs from Virginia Tech and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from Liberty University.