The DOJ’s Criminal Division, in efforts to back up the recent talk of the Obama Administration, is beefing up its fraud unit. As reported in the National Law Journal, the DOJ is looking to hire as many as 10 trial attorneys and a new “superstar” to lead the fraud section. The fraud section already represents the Criminal Division’s largest litigation unit. By adding in new litigators, the Division and unit can amp up their work on health care, which Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has reportedly been wanting to do.
The article continues, “(F)raud section attorneys are often described as a “rapid response team” that jumps into districts around the country to target the crime of the moment. Five of those 10 trial lawyers would be assigned where needed, said department officials. But the other five spots are new positions dedicated to the prosecution of health care fraud. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has declared the fight against health care fraud to be a top priority.”
August 20th, 2009
Posted by
opia |
Jobs, News |
1 Comment
It has already been well documented that nationally, legal aid is being hit hard by the economy and the Madoff scandal. In Massachusetts, a state that has a long history of providing legal aid to low income and individuals in need, has seen its funding seriously reduced. Greater Boston Legal Services, the largest legal assistance agency in the region, will be cutting its staff by over 20% in the fall. Other organizations across the state have had to cut staff and close on alternate Fridays.
As mentioned in a previous blog post, much of the funding comes from the interest gained on an obscure pooled account called the Lawyers’ Trust Account program. This account contains money from certain escrow funds that is set aside by lawyers to serve clients. More money the lawyers put in, the greater money available to clients who need legal defense. The less money that comes in and the lower the interest rate (which is the case right now), the less there is available to serve clients.
This Globe article highlights the struggles occurring in Massachusetts legal aid organizations.
August 20th, 2009
Posted by
opia |
Jobs, News, Resources |
No Comments