Allergan, Whistleblower Settle Obesity Device Kickback Lawsuit

Allergan Inc. and a whistleblower reached a settlement in a False Claims Act suit alleging that the company provided surgeons with free advertising on a website in exchange for agreeing to use the Lap-Band obesity device, a federal district court said Monday.

Matthew Fitzer’s suit, initially filed in 2013, is dismissed with prejudice as to claims between him and Allergan, and without prejudice as to the US government as it relates to claims against Allergan, Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher of the US District Court for the District of Maryland said. Counsel for Fitzer declined to comment; counsel for Allergan didn’t ...