Cuccinelli says IRS blocking more than $100M in Medicare settlement money
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
9. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
10. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
RICHMOND -- Hours after Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli complained that the Internal Revenue Service was blocking the release of more than $100 million owed to Virginia from a Medicaid settlement, federal officials said Wednesday that they are prepared to cut a $10 million check , and the state will receive $115 million.
The state is entitled to the money because it led an investigation that resulted in Abbott Laboratories paying $1.5 billion to settle allegations that it promoted an anti-seizure drug for uses that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Cuccinelli said at a morning news conference.
Cuccinelli said his office earmarked most of its share of the asset forfeiture portion of the settlement for local police and sheriffs' departments to buy bulletproof vests, vehicles and other equipment. He said nobody in the federal government has disputed that Virginia is entitled to the money, but the IRS has refused to complete a simple two-page form that would allow the Treasury Department to release the funds.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the Treasury Department said it can distribute $10 million right away but requires further explanation of how the state plans to spend the money, which must be spent on law enforcement.
Cuccinelli's office said after receiving the letter that subsequent phone calls to the department confirmed the state will receive $115 million.
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
9. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
10. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
THE ROANOKE TIMES
