SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 – The U.S. government has agreed to dismiss all charges against a Davis Wright Tremaine client following a federal criminal trial for violations of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA) that ended in a hung jury and mistrial.
The government alleged that the client, an owner of drug treatment and mental health facilities, made payments to marketing companies to induce patient referrals to his business. DWT took the case to trial, arguing to the jury that the payments were protected under EKRA's safe harbor provisions and that the government's case hinged on two cooperating witnesses who should not be believed. After the jury could not reach a verdict after a seven-day trial, the government entered into an agreement to dismiss all charges, bringing the prosecution to a close.
The DWT trial team included partners Tom Stout and Alexander F. Porter and associate Trisha Parikh O'Hollaren. They are all members of the firm's white collar defense, investigations & government controversies team, which represents clients in high-stakes government investigations, enforcement proceedings, and related litigation.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more at https://www.dwt.com.