Jason Mehta is a Chambers-ranked trial lawyer known for achieving exceptional results in high-stakes government enforcement and health care matters. When clients face their biggest problems, they call Jason.
Jason has first-chaired major criminal and civil trials across the country and delivers results that matter. Since 2020, he has:
- First-chaired a six-week federal criminal trial resulting in an acquittal on every count for which the jury reached a verdict;
- First-chaired a five-week federal civil trial resulting in a complete verdict in favor of his client;
- Led the first-of-its-kind constitutional challenge that invalidated the False Claims Act (FCA); and
- Served as lead counsel in more than 50 civil and criminal government investigations, securing more than two dozen declinations and resolutions for a fraction of the government鈥檚 initial demand.
Jason has developed one of the nation鈥檚 leading practices in Medicare Advantage and value-based care enforcement defense. He represents some of the largest health care organizations in the country鈥攆rom South Florida to California鈥攊n matters involving Medicare Advantage, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and value-based care arrangements. Jason has obtained government declinations in every Medicare Advantage investigation he has handled, leveraging his deep understanding of the value-based care model, risk adjustment methodologies, and evolving federal enforcement priorities. Clients turn to Jason because he understands not only the legal nuances, but also the operational and business realities that define modern health care delivery.
A former federal prosecutor, Jason draws on his government experience to anticipate the government鈥檚 next move and protect his clients鈥 interests. He has represented hospitals, health systems, laboratories, executives, and national companies in parallel civil and criminal investigations, internal reviews, and FCA litigation.
Jason co-chairs Foley鈥檚 Health Care Litigation Area of Focus within the firm鈥檚 Health Care & Life Sciences Sector and has served in multiple leadership roles, including as past Chair of the Florida Bar Health Law Section, Chair of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association鈥檚 Criminal Law Section, and advisory member of the Federal Bar Association鈥檚 Qui Tam Section.
The Wall Street Journal has described Jason as 鈥渁n attorney who has prosecuted and defended dozens of federal fraud cases.鈥 Clients and peers alike recognize him for his tenacity, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to achieving results in the most complex matters.
Jason Mehta is an accomplished trial lawyer, having tried a dozen federal cases to juries and judges.聽Jason has first-chaired ten cases 鈥 winning every case 鈥 in matters ranging from complex civil claims involving federal employment and tort claims to federal criminal prosecutions and defenses, as well as intellectual property claims. Jason has tried cases from upstate New York to Florida, predominantly in federal court. In 2023, Jason chaired an eight-year pending patent trial to a jury verdict. Through the presentation of experts, the company鈥檚 CEO, and opening/closing statements, Jason was able to return a complete defense verdict and, further, invalidated the plaintiff鈥檚 patent. The jury, which sat through a six-week trial, returned a full defense verdict within six hours. In 2022, Jason first-chaired a federal criminal defense trial where his client was charged with 22 federal charges.聽The prosecution presented more than a dozen witnesses, including the defendant鈥檚 father.聽Nonetheless, after a five-week trial, Jason was able to obtain a defense verdict with the jury acquitting the defendant on every count that they reached. Jason鈥檚 trial style emphasizes practicality, efficiency, and, above all, simplicity.
Representative Experience
Criminal Fraud Representation
Jason has extensive experience in complex cases involving allegations of fraud and malfeasance. He is often asked to handle these matters across the country. Leveraging his experience as a long-time prosecutor and defense attorney, Jason is successful at closing investigations, dismissing criminal charges, minimizing punishments, and 鈥 when all else fails 鈥 successfully trying criminal cases to juries.
Some recent examples include:
- First-chairing a complex multimillion-dollar federal health care fraud trial in New York in which the jury returned acquittals on every count for which they could return a verdict.
- Obtaining a complete declination of all charges for pharmacies being investigated for alleged COVID OTC-kit fraud with allegations ranging from kickback theories to lack of medical necessity.
- Lead counsel representing multiple clients in cancer/genetic testing industry in criminal proceedings throughout the United States. Among other achievements, representation for some clients has involved successfully convincing the Department of Justice to decline further investigations into reference laboratories and marketing organizations.
- Obtaining a non-custodial sentence in Kentucky for a pharmacist who pled guilty to Anti-Kickback Statute and Healthcare Fraud violations. The pharmacist鈥檚 recommended guideline sentence was more than 36 months in prison.
- Obtaining a complete declination in Florida of all charges for a pharmacy in which the government executed a search warrant on the theory that the pharmacy improperly dispensed more medication than actually ordered from wholesalers.
- Obtaining a non-custodial sentence of two years鈥 probation for two owners of a Durable Medical Equipment company in Southern Florida. The clients were facing recommended sentences of more than 40 months in prison.
False Claims Act Defense
Jason also handles complex civil fraud cases. As a civil False Claims Act prosecutor, he was one of the most prolific and successful prosecutors in the country. He now defends companies, individuals, and organizations facing allegations by whistleblowers and the government.
Some recent examples include:
- Lead counsel representing Medicare Part C plan participant in multiple False Claims Act cases. Work has resulted in dismissal of multiple cases, as well as declination of all cases by DOJ.
- Lead counsel representing academic hospital in investigation by Department of Justice related to Medicaid financing arrangements. Work resulted in complete declination by DOJ and subsequential successful dismissal by district court.
- Lead counsel representing nation鈥檚 largest telemedicine operator in False Claims Act investigation resulting in a low-dollar settlement with the Department of Justice. The ultimate settlement was a fraction of the government鈥檚 opening demand.
- Lead counsel in representing government contractor in a False Claims Act suit alleging misrepresentations with affiliation status. Representation resulted in declination by the Department of Justice and subsequent dismissal by relator.
- Counsel in multiple national pharmaceutical False Claims Act cases in Massachusetts, Washington, and Pennsylvania alleging massive kickback schemes related to 鈥渨hite coat marketing鈥 arrangements. Successfully petitioned the Department of Justice to dismiss cases following declination.
- Lead counsel representing a group of neurosurgeons being investigated by the Department of Justice for alleged kickbacks. Representation resulted in no criminal charges and a confidential six-figure settlement reflecting a fraction of the physicians鈥 payment from the company for whom the physicians were providing services.
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Apart from his government defense practice, Jason also handles a number of bet-the-company civil litigation matters. When companies need skilled civil litigation representation, they turn to Jason.
Some recent examples include:
- Led defense of multiple False Claims Act retaliation suits brought by former employees resulting in dismissal of cases by employees.
- First-chaired the successful prosecution of a nationwide securities fraud case in which dozens of investors alleged that they were defrauded by securities representation. Prosecution led to successful recovery and resolution for plaintiffs.
- First-chaired multi-week trial resulting in complete verdict for client and shifting of fees in favor of client.
- Served as lead counsel for all Florida-based litigation by national hospital organization. Litigation included multiple trials and multi-week hearings in state and federal court.
- First-chaired the successful defense of an employment non-compete and trade secret case in which plaintiff agreed to a walk-away and complete dismissal of all claims.
Compliance Advice
Jason also serves as a skilled representative in helping clients navigate problems before they emerge. Jason offers compliance advice and strategy on a number of regulated areas.
Some recent examples include:
- Served as outside general counsel to telecommunications client participating in Federal Communication Commission鈥檚 (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), providing regulatory and statutory risk assessments.
- Served as outside general counsel to large, publicly traded health care company and advised on risks associated with potential receipt of hundreds of millions of dollars in CARES Act health care provider funds.
- Advised numerous corporations on risks and best practices in applying for, and utilizing, Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- Outside general counsel representing multistate ambulance provider in a variety of government investigations, civil disputes, and employment/corporate matters.
Awards and Recognition
- Selected as a Law360 MVP in Health Care (2025)
- Best Lawyers in America (2023)
- Recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers (2022 – 2025)
- Department of Justice Director鈥檚 Award (2017)
- Department of Health and Human Service鈥檚 Exceptional Achievement Award (2016)
- Special Commendation, Defense Health Agency (2016)
- United States Attorney鈥檚 Office, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, Civil Case of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- State of Florida Attorney General鈥檚 鈥淔raud Fighter of the Year鈥 Award (2015)
- Department of State Meritorious Honor Award Recipient (2012)
- Harvard Law School, Burling Grant (2006)
Presentations and Publications
- Moderator, “Cybersecurity Litigation and Enforcement: Current and Future Trends,” Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (October 30, 2025)
- Quoted, “Medicare Advantage ‘Upcoding’ In Federal Crosshairs,”聽尝补飞360听(April 15, 2025)
- Quoted, 鈥淭op Gov鈥檛 Contracts Cases of 2024,鈥 Law360 (December 19,2024)
- Quoted, 鈥,鈥 Clinical Trials Arena (October 9, 2024)
- Quoted in聽Analysis of CMS Data Raises Alarm on Potential Genetic Testing Fraud, 360Dx, December 8, 2022.
- 鈥淢edicare Advantage Providers Be Aware: Choppy Enforcement Waters Ahead,鈥 Brad Robertson and Matt Bedan, March 3, 2021.
- 鈥淭elehealth Enforcement: Is It the Next Big Thing,鈥 Law Journal Newsletters鈥櫬Business Crimes Bulletin, March 2021, with Ty Howard, Gene Besen, and Scarlett Nokes.
- Quoted in Report on聽Medicare Compliance, November 23, 2020.
- Quoted in聽GenomeWeb聽regarding Genetic Testing Fraud, January 29, 2020.
- Quoted in聽Healthcare Risk Management聽regarding DOJ鈥檚 new corporate compliance guidance, July 1, 2019.
- Quoted in聽Health Leaders聽regarding provisions to the False Claims Act, May 15, 2019.
- Quoted in聽贵颈别谤肠别贬别补濒迟丑肠补谤别听regarding how physician practices can protect against healthcare fraud allegations, April 9, 2019.
- Quoted in聽Healthcare Risk Management聽on liability of electronic health record companies, March 2019.
- 鈥淒octors, beware, the federal government is back in business,鈥澛Tampa Bay Times, Letter to the Editor, with Lee Bentley, February 1, 2019.
- Quoted in聽Compliance Portal聽regarding technology risks for health systems, February 2019.
- Quoted in聽Bloomberg Law聽regarding health care fraud sentencing, January 30, 2019.
- 鈥淪eizure of hackers’ website is reminder to safeguard yourself on-line,鈥澛Tampa Bay Times, Letter to the Editor, January 30, 2019.
- Quoted in聽Tampa Bay Times聽regarding shutdown of xDedic dark website, January 30, 2019.
Sometimes It Pays to Fight the Fee Fight: Ninth Circuit Slashes $8.5M FCA Fee Award
The Evolving Landscape of Insurance Coverage for False Claims Act (FCA) Probes: Understanding the Impact of a Delaware Court Ruling
Litigation Risks: Protecting Telemedicine/Digital Health Companies
Jason Mehta and Lauren Carboni Quoted on Major Health Care AI Cases
DOJ Charges Former Executive in Criminal Case Alleging Cybersecurity Compliance Fraud
/Passle/67196104ea6deed3d1072b7a/MediaLibrary/Images/2025-12-12-21-24-57-568-693c88292a1eb292d8c1283c.jpg)