Edward Baker to Moderate FBA Qui Tam Section Roundtable Discussion on AI and the False Claims Act

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Lieff Cabraser attorney Edward Baker will moderate a virtual panel discussion on “AI and the False Claims Act” hosted by the Qui Tam Section of the Federal Bar Association.

During the program panelists will explore the current and future impact of generative artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) on FCA practice and liability theories, including an examination of: (1) the use of AI/ML by government agencies, as well as some relator’s counsel, to detect fraud schemes; (2) the potentially beneficial as well as harmful effects of novel and potentially groundbreaking technologies incorporating AI/ML by participants in federal programs, notably Medicare Advantage; (3) how courts are beginning to grapple with FCA liability theories in cases involving AI/ML; and (4) whether additional regulatory or other safeguards on AI/ML are needed to reduce the risk of fraud schemes using this technology.

For more information and to register for the event, visit the FBA’s website.

About Edward Baker

Edward Baker is Of Counsel at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. He previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of California, where he was the Civil Healthcare Fraud Coordinator, as well as the Elder Justice Coordinator, within the Affirmative Civil Enforcement practice group. As an AUSA, Mr. Baker investigated numerous FCA cases, including allegations against physicians for medically unnecessary procedures, pharmacies for kickbacks to nursing homes, defense contractors and federal grant recipients for fraudulent billing, and hospitals for up-coding. He was the lead attorney for the United States in an FCA settlement against a group of Fresno cardiologists for performing medically unnecessary nuclear scans, and in a qui tam settlement against Omnicare, Inc., a national long-term care pharmacy, for improperly submitting claims for prescription drugs dispensed to patients in skilled nursing facilities. He worked closely with criminal prosecutors to enhance the district’s parallel proceedings practice and coordinated regular meetings of the EDCA Healthcare Fraud Task Force.

Prior to serving as an AUSA, Mr. Baker was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Vermont, where he was the Director of the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit. He was a member of the litigation table team for thirty-six states in a qui tam lawsuit against Wyeth and Pfizer for Medicaid pharmaceutical “best price” violations that ultimately resulted in a $785 million settlement. He also laid the groundwork for the enactment of the Vermont False Claims Act and held leadership positions within the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units.