office of inspector general, greg demske says this case sends an important message. >> the message is if you are a corporate executive at a company that does business with federal health care programs, including pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, one of the things that you should consider in addition to profits is that-- if you take an action that could cause harm to patients or cost the taxpayers money-- then your career, your livelihood in that industry is at risk as well. >> reporter: in other words, you'll be kicked out. >> could be, yes. >> reporter: and so you'll go after companies, no matter what size they are? >> we look at a series of things. was the person aware of the conduct that was taking place in the corporation? what was that person's position and authority to take action? what did they do when they learned of the conduct? did they disclose it to the government? there's not a prohibition or a bar on us pursuing people at the top of the very largest corporations. >> reporter: federal regulators have been frustrated by a string of big drug companies that have becom