Legislator’s lawsuit claim on the mark

“I helped win one of the biggest private lawsuits against Medicare fraud in history. The government declined to pursue the case, so my firm did, and we recovered $324 million for taxpayers.” — Stacey Evans on June 12 in a campaign video

Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna, was touting a major Medicare fraud case she argued with her private law practice in a campaign video.

She argued a civil lawsuit alongside three other firms representing the U.S. government against DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a leading provider of dialysis services in the United States. They represented two whistleblowers.

Justice Department spokesperson Nicole Navas confirmed Evans’ statement.

“DaVita recovery was one of the largest ever obtained by a relator in a matter declined by the United States,” Navas said.

There have been larger settlements, but only when the government has gone after fraud directly. In this case, the Justice Department chose not to intervene. Navas declined to comment on why it didn’t participate.

Our rating

Evans said that she “helped win one of the biggest private lawsuits against Medicare fraud in history.” The lead counsel on the case corroborated her role in it, and the Justice Department confirmed its historic importance.

Her claim that they recovered $324 million for taxpayers also checks out. We rate this statement True.

Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna, argued a major Medicare fraud case with her private law practice.