
Cleveland, Ohio – The Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio plays a crucial role in enforcing federal laws and representing the United States’ interests in civil litigation across 40 northern Ohio counties. In 2024, the division achieved remarkable outcomes, protecting taxpayers and ensuring compliance with federal laws in a variety of areas.
Broad Responsibilities and Significant Impact
The Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Civil Division handle an array of cases involving environmental laws, disability and anti-discrimination regulations, voting rights, and fraud recovery for Medicare and Medicaid. The division is also responsible for recovering debts owed to the government, enforcing criminal restitution, and addressing cases such as medical malpractice, bankruptcy, and foreclosures.
“Our civil division attorneys perform a broad array of work that protects the public fisc and has far-reaching impacts,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “We will continue our efforts to hold accountable those who break federal laws and cheat the U.S. taxpayer.”
Key Resolutions in 2024
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation Settlement: The foundation paid $7.6 million to resolve allegations of failing to disclose key financial research support in federal grant applications.
- Rite Aid Corporation Cases:
- Rite Aid and affiliates settled allegations of filling unnecessary prescriptions for $7.5 million.
- Subsidiaries Elixir Insurance, RX Options LLC, and RX Solutions LLC paid $101 million for inaccurate Medicare drug rebate reporting.
- Ohio Physician Case: Dr. Gregory Gerber was prohibited from prescribing opioids and ordered to pay $4.7 million after violations of the Controlled Substances Act. His actions allegedly caused a patient’s death and included receiving kickbacks from a drug manufacturer.
- Norfolk Southern Railway Settlement: Following the February 2023 East Palestine train derailment, Norfolk Southern agreed to a settlement exceeding $363 million. This included funding for environmental restoration, rail safety improvements, and a community health program for affected residents.
Community Engagement and Outreach
The Civil Division also prioritized community engagement through various programs:
- Voting with a Disability: A forum addressing voting challenges for individuals with disabilities, held in partnership with the USAO for the Southern District of Ohio.
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland: Volunteers assisted individuals with financial difficulties in addressing legal issues related to housing, family law, and employment.
- Summer Camp ADA Compliance: Outreach to summer camps emphasized the importance of accommodating children with disabilities.
- Bankruptcy Guidance: Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Rojas engaged local bar associations to explain federal guidelines for student loan discharge requests.
Commitment to Justice and Transparency
Through these achievements, the Civil Division upheld its mission to recover taxpayer funds, enforce compliance, and protect individual rights. For more information or to report crimes, visit justice.gov.
The division’s continued efforts reflect its dedication to safeguarding the public interest and ensuring justice across Northern Ohio.