Author Archives: Jay Butchko
A Day Off to Vote (#DOV) – Florida
How can your firm or business ensure that its employees will have the time and opportunity to cast their ballots in Election 2020? Join the 60 firms* participating in our nonpartisan project and give your employees “A Day Off to Vote.” It can be Election Day or an early voting day. Any amount of time off… Read More »
Yachts, Strip Clubs, and Fast Cars: An Analysis of the First 56 Cases Alleging PPP Fraud
The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which was implemented as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, has been a predictable target for waste, fraud, and abuse. Whistleblowers who report this fraud will play a vital role in uncovering any wrongdoing. As of September 30, 2020, just 6 months after the… Read More »
Qui Tam Cases Settle for $17.9 Million
Rabin Kammerer Johnson announces the settlement of three related qui tam whistleblower cases: United States of America, et al., ex rel. Hood v. Lexisnexis Coplogic Solutions, Inc., Civil Case No. 18-cv-20211 (S.D. Fla.) State of Florida, ex rel. Hood, v. Lexisnexis Coplogic Solutions, Inc.; Civil Case: 18-CA-001950 (Florida State Court, 2d Judicial Circuit) State… Read More »
Government Issues Preliminary Report on Coronavirus Relief Fraud
On September 1, 2020, the Congressional Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis released a preliminary analysis of potential waste, fraud and abuse issues in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was implemented as part of the massive Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Under the PPP Program, the federal government provided more… Read More »
Jury Trials in the Covid-19 Pandemic
Jury trials in Florida have been suspended since March 16, 2020, and as of early August, the Covid-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating. At a virtual meeting of the Florida Bar Board of Governors on July 17, in fact, Chief Justice Charles Canady indicated that it is “unrealistic” that jury trials will resume… Read More »
Global Survey Finds the Suppression of Whistleblowers is the Most Important Fraud-Related Factor Aiding the Spread of COVID-19
A recently published global survey finds that COVID-19 related fraud substantially reduced the delivery of healthcare services worldwide during the month of April 2020. NEMEXIS, an international, anti-fraud consulting firm in Berlin, Germany, conducted the survey. The firm surveyed 512 respondents, 92% of whom were anti-fraud professionals from 58 countries, representing 76% of the… Read More »
Please Support Those in Need During the Pandemic: Palm Beach County Nonprofits
The Coronavirus Pandemic has affected the residents of Palm Beach County in so many ways. One thing that is universal about the pandemic, however, is that we all can help those who are struggling. In Palm Beach County, many nonprofit entities are offering critical human services and pet and animal services to assist our… Read More »
Does a Force Majeure Provision Excuse Performance of a Contract Due to COVID-19?
This blog is a follow-up to our previous blog: Is Covid-19 an “Act of God” Excusing Performance of a Contract? Many contracts contain an obscure provision that allows for non-performance of the contract due to circumstances beyond the parties’ control. These provisions are typically called “force majeure” provisions, and they are often overlooked or… Read More »
Is Covid-19 an “Act of God” Excusing Performance of a Contract?
Florida courts have long recognized that “acts of God” may provide a legal justification for nonperformance of a contract. What constitutes an “act of God,” however, evades precise definition. The Florida Supreme Court has described an “act of God” for purposes of a contract as follows: An act of God, such as will excuse… Read More »
Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Led to Substantial Losses in Your Investment Accounts? What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself Against Further Losses
The coronavirus pandemic has jeopardized the health and lives of millions of people across the world and it is difficult to predict when we will resume our traditional way of life. The pandemic also likely has affected the bottom line in your investment and retirement accounts — and not for the better. What many… Read More »