Four More Doctors Get Prison Time as FPMC Sentencing Continues

“Crime does not pay, even when millions are involved.” With those words, U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary sentenced Douglas Won, once a wealthy, preeminent spinal surgeon, to five years in federal prison for his role in a massive bribery and kickback scheme involving Forest Park Medical Center, a now-defunct physician-owned hospital in North Dallas. The judge also sent Won’s onetime business partner, surgeon Michael Rimlawi, to prison.

March 18, 2021 Bruce Tomaso

Federal Judge to Forest Park Medical Defendants: Change Scrubs to Stripes

A federal judge Wednesday sentenced Mac Burt, a founder and top administrator of Forest Park Medical Center, and surgeon Shawn Henry to several years in prison and ordered them to pay millions of dollars in restitution for their role in a $40 million fraud and kickback scheme. A nurse was hit with a three year prison term. Four more doctors will be sentenced Thursday. The Texas Lawbook's Bruce Tomaso was in federal court in Dallas all day and has an in-depth report.

March 17, 2021 Bruce Tomaso

Forest Park Surgeons, Executives Face Prison Time Today

Six surgeons, a chiropractor and five hospital administrators from the now defunct Forest Park Medical Center fraud case – including seven who were found guilty at a lengthy trial nearly two years ago – are back in federal court today to learn how much time they could spend in prison. The Forest Park case exposed a vast bribery and kickback conspiracy involving prominent Texas surgeons and a luxurious physician-owned hospital. The Texas Lawbook is in the courtroom and will provide updates.

March 17, 2021 Bruce Tomaso

A Modern Power Grid Can Deliver More Than Just Resiliency

In the wake of last month’s winter storm disaster, Texas has an opportunity to reinforce its position as a global energy leader by acting thoughtfully to guide the evolution of our electric grid. Parts of Texas’ grid were simply not built to withstand sustained freezing temperatures and significant frozen precipitation. Generation assets went offline at an alarming rate, leading to a shortfall in electric supply that forced tens of thousands of megawatts of customer load to be shed, leaving millions in the dark. This did not need to happen.

March 11, 2021 Keith Fullenweider & Michael Tomsu

Texas Bar Members Approve Law Firm Trade Names

Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts are highly unlikely to change their firm names to “Bad Ass Lawyers” or “Energy M&A Deals are Us,” but four out of five Texas lawyers who voted in a State Bar of Texas referendum over the past few weeks think they should be able to do so if they want.

March 5, 2021 Mark Curriden

State Bar Disciplinary Actions

In its most recent monthly disciplinary report, the State Bar of Texas cited eight suspensions and six public reprimands. The violations ranged from failure to meet professional obligations to failure to account for client funds.

March 1, 2021 Allen Pusey

Key Considerations for a Texas Privacy Law

In 2020, California became the first US state to pass a comprehensive privacy law in the mold of the EU General Data Protection Regulation. More and more states appear ready to enact similar laws. Texas is no exception. To guide the 87th Legislature and prepare Texas general counsel for what is likely to come, this article examines the CCPA, the GDPR, and other comprehensive privacy laws to highlight four key considerations that the Legislature will likely take into account in drafting a comprehensive Texas privacy law. CORRECTION: Three edits have been made to this article.

February 24, 2021 Randi Singer & Robert Brown

Steve Cox Resigns as EDTX U.S. Attorney, First Asst. Takes Over

Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Steve Cox resigned today. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei, a career federal prosecutor, will be acting U.S. Attorney until the Biden administration appoints a replacement. Cox, in an exclusive interview with The Texas Lawbook, discusses his time in the EDTX and the huge impact he has had on corporate regulatory and enforcement reforms during his time at DOJ.

January 19, 2021 Mark Curriden