Jesse Witten

Jesse A. Witten defends health care providers, pharmaceutical manufactures and other clients in the health industry against fraud and abuse matters in government investigations and litigation, particularly False Claims Act matters.

Jesse also assists clients in internal corporate investigations and self-disclosures to the government of regulatory violations and Medicare/Medicaid overpayment. He counsels clients on compliance with Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law and laws governing the sale and marketing of medical devices and pharmaceutical products.

Before joining Drinker Biddle, Jesse served as a Deputy Associate Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice, where he co-chaired the DOJ’s health care fraud task force. He also served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division. Jesse was previously a partner with an international law firm.

In 2016, Jesse received the National Congress of American Indians’ (NCAI) Special Recognition Award for his work in Blackhorse v. Pro-Football, Inc., a case in which Drinker Biddle lawyers represent five Native American individuals seeking to cancel the trademark registrations of the Washington professional football team.

Jesse taught a Health Law course at George Washington University and is a frequent speaker at health care conferences. He has published numerous articles on Medicare fraud enforcement and health care compliance topics.

Experience :

• Counseling pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, health plans, hospitals and other providers on numerous health law issues, including: (i) Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; (ii) compliance with Anti-Kickback and Stark laws; (iii) Medicaid and Medicare price reporting requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturers; and (iv) implementation and operation of corporate compliance programs.
• Assisted providers in making disclosures of regulatory violations under the HHS-OIG and CMS Self-Disclosure Protocols.
• Advise clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other international anti-corruption requirements.
• Obtained permanent injunction terminating a CMS Medicare demonstration project in New Jersey on “gainsharing.”
• Represented major research institution in investigation of alleged scientific research misconduct.
• Defended nonprofit hospitals accused of alleged excessive charges and unlawfully aggressive collections practices in violation of IRS laws governing tax-exempt hospitals.

Education :

• Harvard Law School, J.D., 1991, magna cum laude
• Princeton University, A.B., 1988, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions : District of Columbia, Illinois