Acadia Healthcare: Appeals Court Revives False Claims Lawsuit against NC Opioid Treatment Clinics

February 12, 2025

The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals will allow a whistleblower to proceed with her federal lawsuit against Acadia opioid treatment clinics in North Carolina. The Asheville clinic’s former assistant medical director accused the company of falsifying claims for federal government payments.

A trial judge dismissed Lisa Wheeler’s suit in 2023. A unanimous three-judge Appeals Court panel reversed that decision Monday.

“The False Claims Act is a powerful tool for recovering taxpayer dollars to the public fisc,” wrote Judge Nicole Berner. “It punishes companies that have committed fraud in government contracts and serves an important function in deterring other companies from doing the same.”

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