David Leviss

A recognized authority on False Claims Act-related issues, David J. Leviss focuses his practice on defending corporations and individuals from whistleblower qui tam actions under the False Claims Act, and civil and criminal enforcement actions based on the Anti-Kickback Statute and other statutes.

David also represents corporations, institutions, and individuals in high-profile congressional investigations. He has achieved numerous victories for healthcare and financial services companies, as well as multinational corporations and not-for-profit organizations.

Before joining O’Melveny in February 2011, David served as a trial attorney with the Civil Division of the Department of Justice and held high-ranking investigative positions on two US House of Representatives committees.

First as a DOJ trial attorney, and now in private practice, David has investigated and litigated dozens of civil fraud matters in federal courts nationwide, many involving issues concerning Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medicaid managed care, as well as defense procurement, defective pricing allegations, and federally insured mortgages and mortgage-backed securities.

As chief oversight counsel of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, David was responsible for oversight of federal agencies, departments, and programs within the Energy and Commerce Committee’s broad jurisdiction, which includes health care, energy, environment, food and drug safety, consumer protection, auto safety, cyber security, privacy, and telecommunications.

As senior investigative counsel for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, David served as lead counsel on several high-profile investigations concerning waste, fraud, abuse, and deficiencies in corporate governance.

In addition to his False Claims Act litigation and congressional investigations practice, David dedicates extensive time to pro bono work, supervising a Religious Freedom Restoration Act challenge to the US Bureau of Prisons, providing intake services for the Catholic Charities Legal Network and advising O’Melveny associates on other cases for those most in need of legal help.

Experience:

• False Claims Act Experience:
  • Defending a national managed-care organization in a qui tam False Claims Act investigation into compliance with Medicare Advantage regulations, including allegations related to inflated premiums resulting from inaccurate risk-adjustment submissions
  • Defended an international biotechnology manufacturer in a qui tam False Claims Act investigation into kickback and off-label allegations (the US Department of Justice declined to intervene and the qui tam plaintiff dismissed the case with prejudice)
  • Conducting an internal investigation into whistleblower allegations related to a national managed-care organization’s compliance with Medicare Advantage regulations and the federal anti-kickback statute, which has led to disclosures to the US Department of Justice, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Office of the Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and state regulatory and enforcement authorities
  • Defending government services contractor in DOJ and US Postal Service OIG inquiry concerning alleged False Claims Act violations stemming from labor mapping requirements in national contract
  • Defending fuel services company in DOJ investigation of defective pricing allegations and alleged False Claims Act violations relating to nationwide fuel contract
  • Secured a landmark victory in an Eleventh Circuit appeal, affirming the district court’s dismissal with prejudice of a qui tam False Claims Act suit alleging US$ billions in fraud against a Medicare Advantage organization
  • Counseled for-profit university in assessing potential False Claims Act risk from federally insured student loan program as part of pre-acquisition diligence
  • Defended a healthcare insurer in a False Claims Act complaint alleging US$1 billion in Medicare fraud; secured the dismissal of a qui tam complaint filed in the Central District of California in August 2013
  • Defended a large national insurance carrier in a qui tam complaint alleging violations of the Medicare Secondary Payer statute
  • Defended a national healthcare insurer in a qui tam complaint filed under the federal and California False Claims statutes alleging Medicare and Medicaid fraud, including securing the successful dismissal of the action on appeal to the 9th Circuit
  • Defended two different financial institutions in several qui tam actions against a number of banks and loan servicers alleging false claims to the government concerning the purchase of mortgage-backed securities by the US Treasury
  • Counseled technology company on potential False Claims Act exposure as part of due diligence prior to acquisitions
  • Represented a global healthcare company in a False Claims Act investigation brought by the US Attorney’s Office, resulting in a declination by DOJ and dismissal of the qui tam complaint by the relator
  • Won a significant victory for a managed health care company when the district court granted a motion to dismiss a False Claims Act (FCA) complaint alleging US$1 billion in Medicare fraud against the Medicare Advantage Organization and its co-defendants
  • Represented major national loan servicer in two FCA qui tam actions seeking billions in damages and penalties, relating to government incentive payments received under the Treasury HAMP loan modification program
  • Recovered US$98.5 million from a global software company, resolving defective pricing allegations concerning GSA schedule contracts for software and related services. Largest civil settlement in the history of the Multiple Award Schedule program
  • Recovered US$41 million from a global bank, resolving allegations of false certifications concerning compliance with underwriting practices required for originating HUD-insured mortgages. Largest civil settlement in the history of the Federal Housing Administration
  • Recovered US$15 million from a Florida hospital and its physician owners, resolving alleged Medicare billing violations under the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute
• Congressional Investigations Experience:
  • Representing social media app in House and Senate inquiries concerning data privacy and the use of de-identified consumer data
  • Represented computer chip manufacturer in congressional investigation of industrywide security vulnerabilities
  • Represented a leading technology company in Senate inquiry concerning overseas corporate structuring and tax practices
  • Represented a former IRS official in connection with a Congressional and federal grand jury investigation related to tax treatment of non-profit organizations
  • Represented Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates in multiple congressional investigations concerning allegations related to the facilitation of fetal tissue donation
  • Represented a former Secretary of Commerce in connection with a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee inquiry concerning federal loan guarantees to renewable energy companies
  • The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, its potential causes, and impacts
  • Business practices in the private health insurance market
  • Regulation and safety of the food supply, including an outbreak of Salmonella in eggs
  • Toyota, the effectiveness of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and reported incidents of sudden unintended acceleration
  • Causes and effects of the 2009 financial crisis, including the role of Alan Greenspan and other federal regulators; the collapse of Lehman Brothers; the public effects of various corporate executive compensation practices; and the events leading to the federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
• FCPA Experience:
  • Conducted FCPA and anti-corruption risk assessment and developed compliance program for China-based life sciences company doing business with American firms
  • Conducted an FCPA and anti-corruption compliance review of a China-based veterinary health company on behalf of its investor, an American pharmaceutical company

As a trial attorney with the Civil Division of DOJ, David took several False Claims Act cases through mediation or trial. David’s work at DOJ was well-regarded: in 2003, he received a Special Commendation for his role in a landmark case against a national hospital chain, followed by an Award for Excellence in 2007 from the President’s Commission on Integrity and Efficiency for his work in a precedent-setting defective pricing case against a major software company.

Admissions:

• District of Columbia
• New York
• US Supreme Court
• US Court of Appeals, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits
• US District Court, District of Columbia, Southern District of Indiana, District of New Jersey, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York

Education:

• New York University, J.D., 1997
• Amherst College, B.A., English, 1992 magna cum laude

Clerkship:

• Honorable Colleen McMahon, US District Court, Southern District of New York

Member:

• Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court
• ABA Criminal Justice Section
• ABA Health Law Section
• AHLA Fraud and Abuse Practice Group Enforcement Committee
• American Health Lawyers Association
• Federal Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit