Item 3. Legal Proceedings
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.
In February 2023, the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas (“TX OAG”) informed BioReference that it believes that, from 2005 to the present, BioReference may have violated the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act with respect to claims it presented to Texas Medicaid for reimbursement. BioReference cannot determine the extent of any potential liability at this time. While management cannot predict the outcome of these matters at this time, the ultimate outcome could be material to our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
On December 29, 2022, the Israel Tax Authority (the “ITA”) issued an assessment against our subsidiary, OPKO Biologics in the amount of approximately $246 million (including interest) related to uncertain tax positions involving income recognition in connection with an examination of foreign tax returns for the 2014 through 2020 tax years. The ITA asserts in part that the classification of the commercialization rights in HgH CTP intellectual property should have been a sale, which would have constituted the sale of a capital asset, and accordingly, any royalty revenue calculation would have required adjustment. We are appealing this assessment and intend to exhaust all judicial remedies necessary to resolve the matter, as necessary, which could be a lengthy process. We cannot currently provide any assurance as to the outcome of this matter, including the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome.
On March 1, 2019, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC. The CID sets forth document requests and interrogatories in connection with allegations that the Company and certain of its affiliates violated the False Claims Act and/or the Anti-Kickback Statute. On January 13, 2022, the Federal Government notified the U.S.D.C., Middle District Florida, Jacksonville Division, that it declined to intervene in the matter but retained the right, via the Attorney General, to consent to any proposed dismissals of the action by the Court. On February 9, 2022, the States of Florida, Georgia, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts notified the U.S.D.C., Middle District Florida, Jacksonville Division, that they declined to intervene in the matter. Notwithstanding the above declinations, on February 17, 2022, the Company was served with the Relator’s Summons and Complaint (“Complaint”), which had been previously sealed. The complaint alleged violations of the False Claims Act, the California Fraud Preventions Act, the Florida False Claims Act, the Massachusetts False Claims Act, the Georgia False Medicaid Claims Act, and illegal kickbacks. This case was dismissed with prejudice on January 23, 2024.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
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