Rich Bardos, the former Deputy Director of Maryland’ Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”) is Of Counsel to the Firm and heads the Firm’s Health Law Practice Group.  Mr. Bardos comes to us after ten years of prosecuting Medicaid Fraud and neglect of vulnerable adults.  Prior to his service at the MFCU, he worked for the Health Occupation Boards of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as an administrative prosecutor.  He also brings 15 years of criminal defense experience in both state and federal courts.

The Health Law Practice Group will concentrate on health care fraud, plaintiff’s medical malpractice and health licensure matters.  The Health Law Practice Group will also focus on pursuing health care whistle-blower suits, also referred to as qui tam litigation.

As a former Board prosecutor, Mr. Bardos has valuable insights into the workings of the Board processes.  He was chosen as the Attorney General’s representative on the recent legislative Task Force on Discipline of Health Care Professionals and Improved Patient Care that was designed to improve the Boards’ processes.  Mr. Bardos testified before several Committees of the General Assembly on health law matters.

Mr. Bardos was responsible for obtaining the first felony neglect conviction in the State as well as the first manslaughter conviction ever obtained by the Office of the Attorney General.  His jury trial experience includes several Medicaid Fraud felony cases tried to conviction.  Mr. Bardos’ federal court experience includes 5 years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender and numerous federal jury trials.

In addition, Mr. Bardos’ practice includes issues related to attorney ethics, professional misconduct and legal malpractice.  He spent 11 years on the MSBA’s Ethics committee and has been an Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Maryland School of Law, teaching Legal Profession.