Surgeon Nick Nicholson was one of 22 Forest Park Medical officials indicted in one of the largest and most complex healthcare bribery and kickback schemes in Texas history. But Dr. Nick was the only one a jury found not guilty. In an exclusive, in-depth interview, Nicholson and his lawyer, Tom Melsheimer, take readers inside the confidential sanctuary of the attorney-client relationship to discuss in vivid detail every aspect of the case and the decisions they made that led to the dramatic acquittal earlier this year. This is their story.
On the Record: Nick Nicholson and Tom Melsheimer
Melsheimer and his legal team worked more than 4,000 hours defending Forest Park Medical Center Surgeon Nick Nicholson against allegations of bribery and kickbacks. In a joint interview, the pair provide The Texas Lawbook insights into their relationship, how the use of mock juries helped them develop a successful legal strategy, the decision whether to quote from the King James Version or a modern Bible translation and their opinions of the prosecutors, judge and other defendants. Here they are in their own words.
The Forest Park Surgeon & His Lawyer: Inside the Attorney-Client Relationship and the Anatomy of an Acquittal
Twenty-two medical professionals, including nine surgeons, were indicted by federal prosecutors in Texas in a bribery/kickback scheme that rocked the health care community. Nine went to trial. Only one person, Dr. Nick Nicholson, was found not guilty. On Monday, Texas Lawbook correspondent Bruce Tomaso gives readers an exclusive, in-depth look into the groundbreaking case and trial through the eyes of Dr. Nicholson and Tom Melsheimer, the lawyer who defended him. Click here for a video preview.
TechnipFMC Settles FCPA Case for $296M
Oil and gas services company TechnipFMC, co-headquartered in Houston and London, reached a settlement Tuesday with the DOJ and the SEC to resolve decade-old allegations that company officials violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in business dealings in Brazil and Iraq.
Texas Legislature has Productive Session, Thanks to Positive Revenue Picture and Bipartisanship
With a strong economy swelling state coffers and a surprising across-the-aisle consensus on policy priorities, the 86th Texas Legislature was able to tackle some of the state’s most pressing needs while making investments in its future. Rafael Anchia and John Turner of Haynes and Boone highlight legislative actions of interest for the business community.
Lubbock Auto CFO Pleads Guilty on Fraud Scheme
The former CFO of Reagor Dykes Auto Group in Lubbock pleaded guilty Tuesday to masterminding a $50 million conspiracy that defrauded the company’s primary lender, Ford Motor Credit Co.
David Peavler: SEC – An Opportunity He Couldn’t Pass Up
HD Vest Financial GC David Peavler, a sleeper candidate to be the SEC’s top corporate cop in Texas, tells The Texas Lawbook in an exclusive interview that tightened resources will be his biggest challenge when he starts as regional director in July. The objective, he said, is “to have as big an impact as possible with the resources we have.” Meanwhile, SEC insiders say Peavler is the perfect choice for the job.