What began years ago as a fraud probe of AtriCure (ATRC), a surgical ablation medical device maker, has now resulted in allegations of an illegal kickback scheme. In 2017, the DOJ began investigating whether AtriCure had violated the False Claims Act by promoting the off-label use of certain products that were medically unnecessary.

The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower who, according to AtriCure, recently dropped the off label promotion allegations but now accuses the company of paying:

“...illegal kickbacks to healthcare providers in exchange for using or referring the Company’s products…”

Shares are unchanged since the matter was first disclosed three months ago.