Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter Receives ‘Honest Abe Integrity in Government Award’

Spokane, Washington - United States Attorney, Vanessa Waldref announced Assistant United Attorney (AUSA) Dan Fruchter received the 2024 "Honest Abe Integrity in Government" award from the Taxpayers Against Fraud Coalition.

This award recognizes dedication to public service and a commitment to False Claims Act enforcement and the whistleblowers who make these cases possible. When announcing the award, the TAF Coalition called AUSA Fruchter, "a master tradesman of False Claims Act enforcement."

AUSA Fruchter is the Chief of the Fraud & White-Collar Crime Unit for the Eastern District of Washington. Throughout his career, he has led the prosecution of hundreds of fraud cases, spanning a wide range of subjects including procurement fraud, health care fraud, and pandemic relief fraud. AUSA Fruchter is a life-long public servant and passionate advocate for whistleblowers.

Under his leadership, the Eastern District of Washington has expanded its health care fraud practice, focusing its efforts on patient safety and justice. Last year, as part of a $29 Million settlement with Lincare Holding, Inc to address claims that Lincare submitted to Medicare and Medicare Advantage, in what is believed to be a first-of-a-kind False Claims Act settlement, Lincare also agreed to identify and repay Medicare beneficiaries who were overcharged co-pays. Pursuant to this provision, as of September 2024, Lincare has refunded payments to 4,917 patients for a total of $976,137.

AUSA Fruchter also spearheaded the Eastern District of Washington's innovative and nationally-recognized COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force, which was launched in Spring 2022. The Strike Force brings together 15 federal agencies with a team of prosecutors to quickly respond to investigative leads. Since it was launched, the Strike Force has charged 35 defendants, secured 20 criminal convictions, 4 civil settlements, and recovered more than $30 million in settlements, seizures, and restitution judgments.

One qui tam filed by a whistleblower tenant resulted in a settlement of over $300,000 with All Star Property Management to resolve claims that they falsely and fraudulently claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent assistance intended to benefit struggling renters during the COVD-19 pandemic. The legal aid organization that brought the case, Northwest Justice Project, produced a short video about the case featuring the whistleblower and AUSA Fruchter.

"No matter the shape or scope of the scheme, Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter is tireless in his pursuit to fight for the underdog and hold fraudsters accountable," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "AUSA Fruchter has cemented the Eastern District of Washington as a district of choice for whistleblowers and relator's counsel due to his strategic and tenacious approach to fighting fraud and white-collar crime. This award is a well-deserved honor."