A Boston personal injury firm has agreed to pay $300,000 over alleged kickbacks from a pharmacy that included a yacht excursion and holiday outing, the AG’s office said.
Keches Law Group PC “admitted referring approximately 800 of its clients and potential clients to Injured Workers Pharmacy to fill prescriptions in exchange for payments totaling about $90,000,” Attorney General Maura Healey’s office announced.
A judge still needs to approve the deal, but it avoids a trial.
“Law firms shouldn’t break the law, and they certainly shouldn’t profit off their clients’ injuries through illegal kickbacks,” Healey said, adding the deal “directs much-needed funds to our state.”
The AG said the case involved “two agreements” with Injured Workers Pharmacy paying for Keches’ social events — including an X1 racing event, a yacht outing and a nearly $24,000 holiday luncheon — “in exchange for referrals.”
The cash from the fine will be used for the state’s Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund, at $100,00, and $200,000 will go into the general fund for penalties, fees and costs.
Naloxone is used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Injured Workers Pharmacy, the AG pointed out, paid an $11 million settlement a year ago to resolve allegations that it “failed to implement adequate safeguards against unlawful and dangerous dispensing, resulting in the shipment of thousands of potentially illegitimate controlled substance prescriptions across the country.”
Keches Law Group’s managing partner, Sean Flaherty, said in a statement to Law360 that “We have entered into a joint consent agreement with the Commonwealth in support of the public interest to avoid any more time and litigation expense, and especially since no one was hurt. This matter, now fully and finally resolved, with disposal of the alleged claim, is now behind us. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients as we always have.”
The AG added that Keches is now required to obtain its clients’ informed consent in writing before making referrals for money.
The $300,000 the firm is to pay adds up to more than three times the amount of illegal kickbacks Keches allegedly accepted under the scheme, the AG added.
Last year Healey said the Andover-based Injured Workers Pharmacy “created an illegal operation that put dispensing speed and volume over patient and public safety.”
Healey added: “They dispensed thousands of prescriptions for dangerous drugs, including opioids like fentanyl, with a shocking lack of regard for whether those prescriptions were legitimate. Combatting the opioid epidemic remains a top priority of my office and we will aggressively pursue those who break our laws to profit from this crisis.”
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June 05, 2021 at 08:03AM
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AG forces Boston law firm to pay $300,000 over yacht, holiday outings - Boston Herald
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