Cleveland Reporter

The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio's Civil Division concluded 2024 with significant legal accomplishments across various civil cases. The division, responsible for representing the United States in litigation within 40 northern counties of Ohio, handled a range of affirmative and defensive court cases. These included federal laws on environmental protection, disability rights, voting rights, fraud recovery related to Medicare and Medicaid, and more.

U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko emphasized the division's role in safeguarding public funds and individual rights: “Our civil division attorneys perform a broad array of work that protects the public fisc and has far-reaching impacts, from affirmatively protecting individual civil rights to defending the environment to recovering taxpayer money diverted by individuals and corporations through fraudulent conduct or deceptive health care practices.” She noted that the achievements in 2024 were substantial, underscoring continued efforts to hold accountable those violating federal laws.

Among notable resolutions this year:

- The Cleveland Clinic Foundation agreed to pay $7.6 million over allegations involving undisclosed financial research support in federal grant applications.

- Rite Aid Corporation settled claims under the False Claims Act for $7.5 million concerning unnecessary prescriptions.

- Three subsidiaries of Rite Aid agreed to pay $101 million over allegations of inaccurately reporting drug rebates to Medicare.

- Dr. Gregory Gerber was prohibited from prescribing controlled substances and ordered to pay $4.7 million due to violations involving opioid prescriptions without legitimate medical basis.

- Norfolk Southern Railway Company reached a settlement exceeding $363 million after a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This included funding community health programs and extensive environmental cleanup measures.

The USAO also engaged in outreach efforts throughout 2024:

- An online forum on "Voting with a Disability" highlighted challenges faced by voters with disabilities.

- Legal aid clinics provided assistance at Cleveland Public Library-Memorial Nottingham Branch addressing various civil issues.

- Communication with summer camps ensured compliance with ADA requirements for campers with disabilities.

- Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Rojas discussed Department of Justice guidance on discharging federal student loans during events organized by local bar associations.

For crime reporting or complaints submission details, visit https://www.justice.gov/action-center/report-crime-or-submit-complaint#complaint.