Ann Arbor Criminal Defense Blog

On its website, the Department of Justice recently announced charges against 601 people across the United States as part of its National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The defendants include 76 doctors who are accused of illegal prescription peddling “and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics.”  

Among those arrested were 35 in the Eastern District of Michigan. The DOJ said they are facing charges of fraud, money laundering and participating in drug diversion schemes that resulted in about $197 million in false Medicare claims for medical services that weren’t necessary or weren’t performed.

When celebrities are at their peak of fame, we live vicariously through them. When their lives take a turn for the worse, however, it's easy to separate ourselves from the celebrity and rejoice in the proof that no one can be that perfect.

For over a decade, much of the U.S. has been captivated by the couple known as "Brangelina". Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie started off an unlikely duo for breaking Jennifer Aniston's heart, but gained favor with the public when they began their family. Having adopted three of their six children from third-world countries, the couple called attention to humanitarian crises around the world. While their love story had evolved into a modern day fairy-tale, it took the shape of a nightmare in 2016.

What does it mean when someone is called a white-collar worker? It usually means that the person is trained and skilled and that they work in a an office as accountants, engineers, bankers, architects, realtors and so on.

When someone is accused in Michigan of a white-collar crime, it typically means that they are a business or government professional who has been charged with one of several types of fraud. The FBI says it investigates a wide variety of white-collar crimes, including fraud involving securities, health care, public corruption, mortgages, embezzlement, money laundering, commodities and more.

The nation's opioid crisis is regularly in the news with officials grappling with ways in which to reduce the demand for powerful painkillers. Unsurprisingly, authorities often fall back on law enforcement to try to address problems with behavior and addiction.

Authorities recently announced more than 90 arrests on federal drug-trafficking charges from Michigan to Ohio and West Virginia. Those taken into custody are accused of operating a fentanyl and heroin distribution ring that was led by two brothers.