MDFL Honored at the 33rd Annual Director's Awards Ceremony

Today, in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein recognized 179 members of the Department, including 8 from the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, at the 33rd Director’s Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay Trezevant, Cherie Krigsman, Charles Harden, Karin Hoppmann, and Jason Mehta, along with Legal Administrative Specialist Gina Wetherald, Senior Civil Investigator Charles Burnette, and retired Supervisory Legal Administration Specialist Madeline Tejera were among the honorees.

The MDFL was recognized for “Superior Performance By A Litigative Team” for the prosecution of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., and several of its top executives, including the CEO and CFO. In both civil and criminal cases, the litigative team mastered an extraordinary volume of evidence to lay bare a sophisticated scheme designed to enable the company to unlawfully retain millions of dollars of Medicaid funds that it falsely claimed had been spent on behavioral-health services.  Additional members of the litigative team from patner agencies were also recognized for their contributions to this case.

In addition, as part of the MDFL’s effort to combat compounding pharmacy fraud, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Mehta was recognized for spearheading 17 separate civil investigations that concluded with settlements of more than $59.8 million. These investigations uncovered fraudulent practices involving pharmacies paying marketers exorbitant commissions in exchange for prescriptions for pain and scar creams that cost the TRICARE program as much as $10,000 per tube.

The MDFL is honored that the Department of Justice has recognized the outstanding achievements of our prosecutors and staff. Acting U.S. Attorney Muldrow added, “These cases are excellent examples of the fine work being done by the many hard-working and dedicated employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. While their efforts often go unnoticed, these public servants work tirelessly to make our communities safer and defend the interests of the American people.”