Criminal and Civil Enforcement

December 2019

December 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Doctor And Occupational Therapist Sentenced To Prison For Participating In $30 Million Scheme To Defraud Medicare And Medicaid
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that physician PAUL J. MATHIEU was sentenced yesterday evening by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield to 48 months in prison for his participation in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program. Between 2007 and 2013, MATHIEU falsely posed as the owner of three medical clinics, which were actually owned a by corrupt businessman, and falsely claimed that he had examined and treated thousands of patients whom he had not in fact seen. In addition, occupational therapist LINA ZHITNIK was sentenced by Judge Schofield on December 3, 2019, to 14 months in prison for her role in the same scheme, which included falsifying medical records in order to claim that she had provided therapy services that she had not in fact provided. MATHIEU was convicted in May 2019, following a six-week trial, on charges of health care fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit those offenses, and conspiracy to make false statements in connection with a federal health care program. ZHITNIK pled guilty to health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud in April 2019, during jury selection for trial.
December 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California: San Joaquin County Doctor Indicted for Prescribing Opioids to Patients Without a Medical Need
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - On Dec. 5, a federal grand jury brought a 14-count indictment against a physician, Edmund Kemprud, of Dublin, charging him with prescribing opioids to patients outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
December 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California: Laboratory to Pay $26.67 Million to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks to Physicians
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Laboratory Boston Heart Diagnostics Corporation (Boston Heart), of Framingham, Massachusetts, has agreed to pay $26.67 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations involving payments for patient referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law and claims otherwise improperly billed to federal health care programs for laboratory testing, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.
December 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland: Cambridge Internist Pays More Than $176,000 to the United States to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations that He Administered Medically Unnecessary Procedures
Baltimore, Maryland - Noman Thanwy, M.D., an internist in Cambridge, Maryland, associated with the medical practice known as M.S. Shariff, M.D., P.A., has paid the United States $176,686.00 to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to the United States for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and vestibular function tests.
December 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Louisiana: Mandeville Nurse Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy to Alter or Falsify Records In A Federal Investigation
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SUZANNE C. MAY, age 61, of Mandeville, pled guilty on December 3, 2019 to conspiracy to alter or falsify records in connection with a federal investigation, namely, a Medicare audit of a hospice facility located in New Orleans, identified in court documents as Company 1.
December 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan Doctor Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of Accepting Bribes And Kickbacks From A Pharmaceutical Company In Exchange For Prescribing Fentanyl Drug
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction in Manhattan federal court of GORDON FREEDMAN for participating in a scheme to receive bribes and kickbacks in the form of fees for sham educational programs ("Speaker Programs") from Insys Therapeutics, Inc. ("Insys") in exchange for prescribing millions of dollars' worth of Subsys, a potent fentanyl-based spray manufactured by Insys, among other offenses. The jury convicted FREEDMAN today on three counts, following a three-week trial before the U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood.
December 4, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Suspended Pharmacist Charged with Health Care Fraud Conspiracy, Fraudulently Obtaining Controlled Substances and Misbranding Drugs
PITTSBURGH, PA - A suspended pharmacist has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, PA, on charges of obtaining controlled substances by fraud, misbranding of drugs, and health care fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
December 3, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Second Pharmaceutical Company Admits to Price Fixing, Resolves Related False Claims Act Violations
Rising Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Rising), a generic pharmaceutical company headquartered in New Jersey, was charged for conspiring to fix prices and allocate customers for a generic hypertension drug, the Department of Justice announced today.
December 2, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Former Tennessee Medical Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances
A medical doctor who formerly practiced in Tennessee pleaded guilty today for his role in unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
December 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Central District of Illinois: Peoria Woman Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Healthcare Fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Erica Miller, 47, of Peoria, Ill., has been ordered to serve 15 months in prison for healthcare fraud. U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough further ordered that Miller pay restitution in the amount of $101,960. Miller was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing hearing on November 22, 2019.

November 2019

November 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan: Michigan Doctor And Two Co-Conspirators Plead Guilty to Fraud, Kickback Violations Involving UAW Health Care Fund
Dr. April Tyler, a Fenton, Michigan area doctor, pleaded guilty to violating the anti-kickback statute on November 6, 2019. Dr. Tyler's conspirators, Patrick Wittbrodt, 44, of Grand Blanc, Michigan and Jeffrey Fillmore, 31, of Clio, Michigan pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud on March 6, 2019 and November 19, 2019 respectively.
November 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio: Husband and Wife Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A Hilliard couple were sentenced in U.S. District Court for conspiring to commit and committing health care fraud. The husband and wife owned and managed a pharmacy and Suboxone clinic in Dublin.
November 26, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Laboratory to Pay $26.67 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations of Illegal Inducements to Referring Physicians
Laboratory Boston Heart Diagnostics Corporation (Boston Heart), of Framingham, Massachusetts, has agreed to pay $26.67 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations involving payments for patient referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law, as well as claims otherwise improperly billed to federal healthcare programs for laboratory testing, the Department of Justice announced today.
November 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Texas Orthopedic Surgeon to Pay $300,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Dr. Ian Reynolds, 71, of Friendswood, Texas, agreed to pay the United States $300,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that he accepted illegal kickback payments from OK Compounding, LLC, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. This is the twelfth kickback settlement involving OK Compounding, LLC, since November 2018.
November 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh-area Lab Owner Charged with Paying Kickbacks in Connection with Almost $130 Million in Medicare Claims for Genetic Testing
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was charged in federal court with three conspiracy counts and one substantive count related to the payment of unlawful kickbacks, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
November 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: APRN Who Received Kickbacks from Insys Therapeutics for Prescribing Fentanyl Spray is Sentenced
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HEATHER ALFONSO, 46, of South Carolina, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to three years of probation for engaging in a kickback scheme related to fentanyl spray prescriptions.
November 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Tennessee Emergency Medical Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances
A Tennessee emergency medical doctor pleaded guilty today for his role in unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
November 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Owner Of Empire Pharmacy In Hudson County Admits Role In Multi-Million Dollar Conspiracies To Commit Health Care Fraud And Pay Illegal Bribes To Doctor
TRENTON, N.J. - A Bergen County, New Jersey, man today admitted participating in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to bribe a doctor, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
November 22, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: New Jersey/Pennsylvania Doctor Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes and Kickbacks In Exchange for Prescribing Powerful Fentanyl Drug
A doctor who practiced in New Jersey and Pennsylvania pleaded guilty today for his participation in a scheme to receive over $140,000 in bribes and kickbacks from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for prescribing large volumes of a powerful fentanyl narcotic.
November 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia: Former Personal Care Aide Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
WASHINGTON - Hope Falowo, 53, of Bowie, Maryland, pled guilty today to a federal charge of health care fraud stemming from a scheme in which she caused the District of Columbia's Medicaid program to be defrauded out of approximately $400,000.
November 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Indictment And Arrest Of Ophthalmologist For Healthcare Fraud
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and Scott Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General's ("HHS-OIG") New York Region, announced today that AMEET GOYAL, M.D. ("GOYAL"), an ophthalmologist with practices in Rye, Mt. Kisco, and Wappingers Falls, New York, and Greenwich, Connecticut, has been indicted for healthcare fraud. Mr. Berman's Office also today filed a civil fraud complaint against GOYAL and the entity that owns his medical practice, AMEET GOYAL, M.D, P.C. d/b/a/ THE EYE ASSOCIATES GROUP (the "Practice"), under the False Claims Act.
November 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: McAllen doctor imprisoned for health care fraud scam
McALLEN - A 46-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Eduardo Carrillo, of McAllen, pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2015.
November 20, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Kentucky Hospital to Pay over $10 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's Healthcare Inc., doing business as Pharmacy Plus and Pharmacy Plus Specialty (collectively, Jewish Hospital), of Louisville, Kentucky, have agreed to pay $10,101,132 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims to the Medicare program, the Department of Justice has announced.
November 20, 2019; U.s. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Third Foundation Resolves Allegations that it Conspired with Pharmaceutical Companies to Pay Kickbacks to Medicare Patients
BOSTON - The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that The Assistance Fund ("TAF"), a foundation based in Orlando, Fla., has agreed to pay $4 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by enabling certain pharmaceutical companies to pay kickbacks to Medicare patients taking the companies' drugs.
November 19, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: General Manager of Columbus Home Health Care Agency Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud
A Columbus businessman pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers of the Southern District of Ohio.
November 19, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Lexington Laboratory Agrees to Pay $2.1 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Claims for Urine Drug Testing Services
LEXINGTON, Ky. - LabTox, LLC, a clinical laboratory in Lexington, has agreed to pay $2,101,335 to resolve civil allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits submitting false or fraudulent claims to the federal government.
November 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Mental Health Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty to Making a False Claim to Medicaid
St. Louis, MO - Naim Muhammad, 56, of St. Charles, MO, pled guilty to one count of making a false claim to Medicaid. Mr. Muhammad appeared today before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and set sentencing for February 28, 2020.
November 15, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Head of New York Medical Clinics Found Guilty in Nearly $100 Million Money Laundering and Health Care Kickback Scheme
The manager in control of multiple medical clinics in Brooklyn and Queens, New York, was found guilty today for his role in a nearly $100 million health care kickback and money laundering scheme.
November 15, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: California Health System and Surgical Group Agree to Settle Claims Arising from Improper Compensation Arrangements
Several hospitals owned and operated by Sutter Health (Sutter), a California-based healthcare services provider, and Sacramento Cardiovascular Surgeons Medical Group Inc. (Sac Cardio), a practice group of three cardiovascular surgeons, have agreed to pay the United States a total of $46,123,516 to resolve allegations arising from claims they submitted to the Medicare program, the Department of Justice announced today.
November 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Owner of California Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Charged in Scheme to Defraud ACA Programs
U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the Boston Regional Office of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner of the FBI's New Haven Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kristina O'Connell of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Connecticut has returned an indictment charging R. JEFFREY YATES, 52, of Santa Ana, California, with conspiracy and fraud offenses related to a scheme to defraud several state Affordable Care Act programs of millions of dollars.
November 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York: Manager of Medical Clinics in Brooklyn and Queens Convicted of Multimillion-Dollar Money Laundering and Health Care Kickback Schemes
BROOKLYN, NY - A federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict on all counts today against Aleksandr Pikus, the manager of medical clinics in Brooklyn and Queens, New York, for his role in multimillion-dollar health care kickback and money laundering schemes. Specifically, Pikus was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to receive and pay health care kickbacks and conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The verdict followed a two-week trial before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. When sentenced, Pikus faces a maximum sentence of up to 70 years' imprisonment.
November 14, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: United States Files False Claims Act Complaint against South Dakota Neurosurgeon and Physician-Owned Distributorships
The United States has filed a complaint against Sioux Falls, South Dakota, neurosurgeon Wilson Asfora M.D., Medical Designs LLC, and Sicage LLC alleging False Claims Act violations arising from the alleged payment of kickbacks to Asfora tied to the devices he used in spinal surgeries, the Justice Department announced today. Medical Designs and Sicage are medical device distributorships in South Dakota owned and operated by Asfora.
November 14, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Idaho: Doctor Sentenced to 7 Months in Federal Prison for Receipt and Delivery of Misbranded Devices
POCATELLO - Temp Ray Patterson, MD, 55, formerly of Burley, Idaho, was sentenced to seven months in prison for receipt and delivery of misbranded devices, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Patterson to serve one year of supervised release following his incarceration, and to pay restitution of $8,200 and a fine of $10,000.
November 14, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California: Former CEO of Central Valley Health Clinics to Sell 13 Properties to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The founder and former CEO of a chain of Central Valley rural health clinics will sell 13 properties, remitting proceeds to the United States and the state of California, to resolve allegations that she submitted millions of dollars in false claims to Medi Cal, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.
November 13, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Louisiana Department of Health to Pay $13.42 Million to Settle Alleged False Medicaid Claims for Nursing Home and Hospice Care
The Louisiana Department of Health has agreed to resolve allegations that it submitted false and inflated Medicaid claims for long-term nursing home and hospice care, the Department of Justice announced today. Under the settlement agreement, the state agency has agreed to pay $13,422,550.
November 13, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Detroit-Area Health Care Clinics Pleads Guilty to Drug Diversion Scheme
The owner of a Detroit, Michigan-area physical therapy clinic pleaded guilty today for his role in a drug diversion scheme.
November 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Texas: Justice Department Reaches Settlement Agreement with Vibra Healthcare and El Paso Rehabilitation Hospital over Allegations of Violating the False Claims Act
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash of the Western District of Texas announced today that Vibra Healthcare, LLC, Vibra Healthcare II, LLC, Vibra Rehab Holdings, LP, Vibra Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso, LLC d/b/a Highlands Rehabilitation Hospital, and Vibra IRFM Company, LLC, (collectively referred to as "Vibra") will pay $6,250,000.00 to settle allegations that they defrauded the U.S. through its Medicare healthcare programs. Vibra Healthcare, based in Pennsylvania, operates freestanding acute medical rehabilitation hospitals and long term acute care hospitals nationwide, including Highlands Rehabilitation Hospital in El Paso, Texas.
November 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of North Carolina: Wilmington Doctor and Medical Practice Settle Civil Fraud Claims for More Than $244,000
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that Dr. Damien Brezinski and his practice group, Wilmington Health, agreed to pay more than $244,000 to settle civil claims under the False Claims Act for improper payments made under the Medicare and Tricare programs.
November 8, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Insurance Broker Found Guilty of 22 Counts in $2 Million Scheme to Defraud Carefirst Bluecross Blueshield
A federal jury found a District of Columbia insurance broker guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of more than $2 million.
November 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Kentucky Doctor Agrees to Pay $65,404 for Allegedly Engaging in Illegal Kickback Scheme with OK Compounding Pharmacy
A Kentucky doctor joined a growing list of medical professionals implicated in an illegal kickback scheme involving OK Compounding. This is the eleventh kickback settlement since November 2018.
November 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: Health care fraud indictment charges man and his company in scheme to bilk Medicare, Medicaid
AUGUSTA, GA: A man and his "marketing company" have been named in a five-count federal indictment for a scheme that paid workers to solicit elderly residents for information used to fraudulently bill government medical programs.
November 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Defendants Admit Practices Resulted in Submission of Several Million Dollars of Inappropriate Claims to Medicare
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General ("HHS-OIG") New York Regional Office, announced today that the United States filed and settled a civil fraud lawsuit against LENOX HILL HOSPITAL ("Lenox Hill") and its corporate parent NORTHWELL HEALTH, INC. ("Northwell") (together, "Defendants"). The Government's Complaint-in-Intervention (the "Complaint") alleges that Defendants violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently billing Medicare for healthcare services that did not comply with Medicare law. The Complaint specifically alleges that in conjunction with Defendants' employment of Lenox Hill's former chair of the Department of Urology, David B. Samadi ("Samadi"), Defendants submitted claims for: (1) endoscopic procedures that were performed, at least in part, by insufficiently supervised medical residents; (2) robotic surgeries for which, at some point during the surgery, Samadi left the patient improperly unattended in order to supervise a different surgery; (3) medically unnecessary hospital services; and (4) designated health services referred to Lenox Hill by Samadi when his compensation arrangement violated the federal Stark Law.
November 7, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Washington: Bellevue, Washington, lab and three executives indicted in kickback scheme
Seattle - One defendant has pleaded guilty, and three others and a physician- owned testing lab have been indicted following the investigation of kickbacks in connection with laboratory testing services. The grand jury returned indictments on November 6, 2019, against JAE LEE, 48, of Bellevue, RICHARD REID, 50, of Astoria, Oregon, KEVIN PULS, 54, of Bellevue, and Northwest Physicians Laboratory of Bellevue, Washington. Both the company and the individual defendants are scheduled to make their first appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle on December 5, 2019.
November 7, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement Of Lawsuit Against Spinal Implant Company, Its CEO, And Another Executive For Paying Millions Of Dollars In Kickbacks To Surgeons
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General ("HHS-OIG"), announced today that the United States has settled a civil healthcare fraud lawsuit against LIFE SPINE INC. ("LIFE SPINE"), MICHAEL BUTLER ("BUTLER"), the founder, president, and chief executive officer of LIFE SPINE, and RICHARD GREIBER ("GREIBER"), the vice president of business development of LIFE SPINE, alleging that LIFE SPINE paid kickbacks in the form of millions of dollars of consulting fees, royalties, and intellectual property acquisition fees to surgeons to induce them to use LIFE SPINE's spinal implants, devices, and equipment.
November 7, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York: Long Island Doctor Indicted for Illegal Distribution of Oxycodone
An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Tameshwar Ammar, a medical doctor in Roslyn, New York, with writing prescriptions for oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, without a legitimate medical purpose. Ammar was arrested this morning, and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.
November 6, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Three Individuals, Including A Former Texas Mayor, CEO and Owner, Found Guilty in a $154 Million Money Laundering and Health Care Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found three individuals associated with dozens of hospice and home health companies guilty today for their roles in a $154 million health care fraud scheme, one of which was a mayor in Texas at the time.
November 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Montana: Former Blackfeet Tribe's chairman admits wire fraud in Head Start overtime scheme
GREAT FALLS - The former chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe today admitted charges in an overtime pay scheme in which persons who worked in the tribe's Head Start program, including his wife, defrauded the child assistance program of $174,000, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
November 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California: Former Merced Health Care Provider CEO and Licensed Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Health Care Fraud
FRESNO, Calif. - Sandra Haar, 59, of Merced, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neil to five years in prison and ordered to pay $6,107,846 in restitution for health care fraud and conspiracy to receive kickbacks, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Haar was ordered to self-surrender on Jan. 15, 2020, to begin serving her sentence.
November 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Louisiana: Home Health Companies to Pay $2.5 Million to Settle Federal False Claims Act Lawsuit
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that Louisiana-based home health companies Health Care Options, Inc. and Health Care Options of Lafayette, Inc.; Texas-based Home Care Options Houston, Inc.; and Howard D. Austin, II, have agreed to settle a civil fraud complaint filed under the federal False Claims Act by paying $2.5 million to the United States.
November 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Montgomery County Doctor Agrees to Pay $1.4 Million to Resolve Allegations of Improper Opioid Prescribing After Pleading Guilty to Related Criminal Charges
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Montgomery County physician Spiro Y. Kassis, M.D., of Plymouth Township, PA, has agreed to pay $1.4 million, has committed to never obtaining a controlled substance registration, and has consented to a 15-year exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid in order to resolve allegations that he improperly prescribed Schedule II controlled substances to patients between July 1, 2014 and February 14, 2017. This civil settlement is announced after Kassis already pled guilty to criminal charges for illegal distribution of controlled substances and awaits sentencing.

October 2019

October 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Stealing MassHealth Benefits
BOSTON - A Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to Social Security and benefit fraud.
October 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Florida: Gainesville Physician And Ex-Wife Convicted Of Health Care Fraud Conspiracy, Health Care Fraud, And Money Laundering
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA -Lawrence Keefe, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, today announced the convictions of Erik M. Schabert, 48, a physician, and his ex-wife, Mika Kamissa Harris, 49, both of Gainesville, Florida, on health care fraud and money laundering charges involving more than $8 million. The convictions came after a three-week federal jury trial that involved more than 45 witnesses and over 850 exhibits introduced into evidence.
October 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Connecticut Rheumatologist Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Medicaid
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CRISPIN ABARIENTOS, M.D., 45, of Middletown, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for defrauding Connecticut's Medicaid program.
October 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: Final Defendant Convicted in $189 Million Health Care Fraud Scam
HOUSTON - With the plea of an 80-year-old Houston man, all 14 charged in the scam involving Continuum Healthcare and its various health centers have been convicted, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
October 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: Georgia pharmacist admits lying about filling prescriptions for high-volume opioid doctors
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Darien pharmacist is facing up to five years in prison after admitting that she lied about filling prescriptions for prescribers of high volumes of opioids and other controlled substances.
October 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Tennessee Medical Doctor and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Charged in Scheme to Unlawfully Distribute Controlled Substances
A Tennessee medical doctor and an advanced practice registered nurse were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their roles in unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
October 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Guam Ambulance Company Executives Plead Guilty to Medicare and TRICARE Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
Two former owners and an employee of an ambulance services provider headquartered in Guam pleaded guilty yesterday for their roles in a health care fraud and money laundering scheme that resulted in a loss to the United States of approximately $10.8 million. This is one of the largest single Medicare ambulance fraud cases prosecuted nationwide.
October 29, 2019; Middle District of Pennsylvania: Marysville Woman Sentenced To One Year And A Day Of Imprisonment For Forging 164 Opioid Prescriptions
HARRISBURG-The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Belinda Dietrich, age 63, of Marysville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 28, 2019, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to one year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release, for forging the signature of a dentist on 164 prescriptions for opioid drugs.
October 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Ex-Doctor Sentenced to More Than 11 Years' Imprisonment for His Role in Illegal Oxycodone Prescribing, Health Care Fraud, and Money Laundering Scheme and for Committing Social Security Fraud
PITTSBURGH - A former Pennsylvania-licensed physician has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 11 years and four months (136 months) in prison on his conviction for conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and Social Security fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
October 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada: Encompass Health Corporation Agrees To Pay $4 Million To Resolve Allegations Of Improperly Billing Medicare
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Encompass Health Corp. (EHC), formerly known as HealthSouth Corporation, has agreed to pay the United States $4 million to settle allegations that an inpatient rehabilitation facility the company owned and operated in Nevada was improperly billing Medicare.
October 28, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Detroit Home Health Owner Sentenced to Prison for Role in $1.5 Million Medicare Kickback Scheme
The owner of a Michigan home health agency was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for his role in a scheme involving approximately $1.5 million in Medicare claims for home health services that were procured through the payment of illegal kickbacks.
October 28, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Sanford Health Entities to Pay $20.25 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Kickbacks and Unnecessary Spinal Surgeries
The Department of Justice announced today that hospital entities Sanford Health, Sanford Medical Center, and Sanford Clinic (collectively, Sanford), of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, have agreed to pay $20.25 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims to federal healthcare programs resulting from violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute and medically unnecessary spinal surgeries. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally-funded programs.
October 28, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Greensburg Physician Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution, Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering
PITTSBURGH - A Greensburg physician pleaded guilty in federal to three counts of distribution of buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice; one count of health care fraud; and one count of money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
October 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Foundations Resolve Allegations of Enabling Pharmaceutical Companies to Pay Kickbacks to Medicare Patients
BOSTON - The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that two foundations, Chronic Disease Fund, Inc. d/b/a Good Days from CDF ("CDF"), and Patient Access Network Foundation ("PANF"), have agreed to pay $2 million and $4 million, respectively, to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by enabling pharmaceutical companies to pay kickbacks to Medicare patients taking the companies' drugs.
October 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia: Former Personal Care Aide Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
Rose Asang Gana, also known as Rose Nebangu, 40, of Greenbelt, Maryland, pled guilty on Wednesday, to a federal charge of health care fraud stemming from a scheme in which she caused the District of Columbia's Medicaid program to be defrauded out of more than $400,000.
October 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia: Former Personal Care Aide Sentenced 13 Months in Prison for Health Care Fraud
WASHINGTON - Mobolaji Tina Stewart, 58, of Laurel, Maryland, was sentenced yesterday to 13 months in prison for engaging in a scheme to defraud the District of Columbia's Medicaid program.
October 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of North Carolina: Ambulance Company Manager and Biller Plead Guilty to $4.7 Million Fraud upon Medicare and Humana, Inc., and to Aggravated Identity Theft
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, PAMELA DEWITT BABB, 49, of Mt. Olive, and DAVON TERRELL HENDERSON, 32, of Greenville, NC, pleaded guilty to a Criminal Information charging BABB and HENDERSON with Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft.
October 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: 13 Convicted in $189 Million Medicare Kickback Scheme
HOUSTON - With the plea of a 46-year-old Houston man, 13 people now stand convicted in the healthcare scam involving Continuum Healthcare and its various health centers in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
October 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Louisiana: Mandeville Nurse Charged With Conspiracy to Alter or Falsify Records in a Federal Investigation
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SUZANNE C. MAY, age 61, of Mandeville was charged October 22, 2019 by a Bill of Information with conspiracy to alter or falsify records in connection with a federal investigation, namely, a Medicare audit of a hospice facility located in New Orleans, identified in court documents as Company 1.
October 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Arkansas: Rogers Physician Arrested For Over-Prescribing Opiates And For Making A False Statement
Fayetteville, Arkansas � Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas and Justin King, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, announced today that Dr. Robin Ann Cox was arrested today on federal charges. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Arkansas indicted Dr. Cox on one count of Prescribing Without a Legitimate Medical Purpose Outside the Scope of a Professional Practice and one count of Willfully and Knowingly Making a Material False Statement to Federal Investigators.
October 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of California: South Bay Doctor Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Unlawfully Distributing Hydrocodone And Committing Health Care Fraud
SAN JOSE - South Bay doctor Venkat Aachi was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for health care fraud and for distributing hydrocodone outside the scope of his professional practice and without a legitimate medical need, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan, and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA). The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Judge.
October 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Staten Island Doctor Pleads Guilty To Illegally Distributing Oxycodone
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that NKANGA NKANGA, a Staten Island physician, pled guilty to illegally distributing oxycodone and other controlled substances. NKANGA pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman to narcotics conspiracy and distribution charges. NKANGA will be sentenced by United States District Judge Jesse M. Furman, to whom the case is assigned.
October 18, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Former Osteo Relief Institutes and Their Owners to Pay Over $7.1 Million to Resolve Allegations of Unnecessary Knee Injections and Braces
Seven former Osteo Relief Institutes (ORIs) and their owners have agreed to pay the United States collectively more than $7.1 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed Medicare for medically unnecessary viscosupplementation injections and medically unnecessary knee braces, the Justice Department announced today.
October 18, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Two East Tennessee Doctors Plead Guilty to Opioid Offenses
Two Tennessee doctors each pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
October 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York: Long Island Chiropractor Sentenced to 18 Months' Imprisonment for Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Raymond R. Pellegrino, a chiropractor with offices in West Hempstead and Hicksville, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert to 18 months' imprisonment for committing health care fraud. The Court also ordered Pellegrino to forfeit $504,444 and to pay restitution of $2,427,101.13 to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS).
October 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Kentucky Physician Pleads Guilty To Unlawfully Distributing Opioids
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Floyd County, Kentucky-based physician pleaded guilty Thursday for his role in unlawfully distributing opioids by pre-signing blank prescriptions that were ultimately completed by others and delivered to patients not seen by him.
October 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Greensburg Doctor Convicted at Trial of Illegally Dispensing Opioid Prescriptions
PITTSBURGH - After deliberating for eight hours, a federal jury late yesterday found Dr. Milad Shaker guilty of 14 counts of illegal dispensing of opioids, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
October 17, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Kentucky Physician Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Opioids
A Floyd County, Kentucky-based physician pleaded guilty today for his role in unlawfully distributing opioids by pre-signing blank prescriptions that were ultimately completed by others and delivered to patients not seen by him.
October 17, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Southern California Doctor Found Guilty in $12 Million Medicare Fraud and Device Adulteration Scheme
A federal jury found a southern California doctor guilty yesterday for his role in a $12 million scheme to provide medically unnecessary procedures to Medicare beneficiaries, upcode claims submitted to Medicare, and re-package single-use catheters for reuse on patients.
October 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa: $3.1 Million Judgment Entered Against Five Rural Home Health Providers in Iowa and South Dakota
On October 16, 2019, a federal court in Cedar Rapids entered a consent judgment for a total of $3,133,282.95 against five home health providers located in Iowa and South Dakota. The providers - Sergeant Bluff Healthcare, LLC (Iowa); Red Oak Healthcare, LLC (Iowa); Logan Healthcare, LLC (Iowa); Elk Point Health Care #1 LLC (South Dakota); and Flandreau Healthcare 2, LLC (South Dakota) - provided home health services to Medicare beneficiaries.
October 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of California: Overprescribing Opioids Costs La Jolla Doctor $125,000
SAN DIEGO - Dr. Roger A. Kasendorf, an osteopathic physician practicing in La Jolla, agreed to pay $125,000 to resolve allegations that he illegally prescribed opioids to his patients. The highly addictive and frequently abused opioids he prescribed included fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone.
October 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Former Suboxone Clinic Doctor Sentenced for Illegal Prescribing and Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 180 days of home confinement; three years' probation; fined a total of $20,000.00; and ordered to pay $156,902.89 in restitution on his conviction of unlawfully prescribing buprenorphine and committing health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
October 15, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Ohio Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of Opioids
The owner of a Cincinnati-area medical practice pleaded guilty today for illegally distributing opioids.
October 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Tennessee: 16-Count Superseding Indictment Charges Owner Of Pain MD And Three Medical Professionals In Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - October 15, 2019 -A 16-count superseding indictment unsealed today charged Michael Kestner, 67, of Nashville, Tennessee, Brian Richey, 37, of Cookeville, Tennessee, Daniel Seeley, 58, of Batesville, Mississippi, and Jonathan White, 49, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and multiple counts of healthcare fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee and Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
October 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa: Northwest Iowa Otolaryngologist Agrees To Pay $1,000,000 To Resolve Medicaid False Claims Allegations
Dr. Tracey Wellendorf, an otolaryngologist with a clinic in Carroll, Iowa, agreed to pay $1,000,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations relating to as many as 115 procedures performed on Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries between October 13, 2014, and November 27, 2015.
October 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California: Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Medicare Kickback Scheme
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - John Eby, 46, of Fair Oaks, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with the owners of home health agencies to pay and receive illegal kickbacks in exchange for Medicare beneficiary referrals, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
October 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Michigan: Traverse City Practice Pays Over $600,000 To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Anesthesia Billing
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Traverse Anesthesia Associates, P.C. ("TAA"), and six of its anesthesiologists, agreed to pay the United States $607,966 to resolve allegations, under the federal False Claims Act, that they falsely submitted certain anesthesia claims to Medicare. TAA is a medical professional corporation that provides anesthesiology and pain management services at a number of hospitals and outpatient sites in the Traverse City region. The United States specifically contended that, for certain claims billed as medically directed anesthesia services, TAA and its anesthesiologists did not meet the regulatory requirements and conditions of payment for billing those services as medically directed.
October 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Missouri: Former Dental Clinic Owner Sentenced for $1 Million Health Care, Payroll Tax Fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Marshfield, Missouri, woman has been sentenced in federal court for multiple fraud schemes totaling more than $1 million that involved Medicaid payments to her dental clinics, failing to pay over payroll taxes and collecting unemployment benefits she wasn't entitled to receive.
October 9, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Genetic Testing Company and Three Principals Agree to Pay $42.6 Million to Resolve Kickback and Medical Necessity Claims
The Justice Department announced today that UTC Laboratories Inc. (RenRX) has agreed to pay $41.6 million, and its three principals, Tarun Jolly M.D., Patrick Ridgeway, and Barry Griffith, have agreed to pay $1 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks in exchange for laboratory referrals for pharmacogenetic testing and for furnishing and billing for tests that were not medically necessary. RenRX, a laboratory company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, also agreed to a twenty-five year period of exclusion from participation in any federal health care program.
October 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Fresenius Agrees to Pay $5.2 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Overbilled Medicare for Hepatitis B Tests
BOSTON - The United States Attorney's Office announced today that Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Fresenius Medical Care North America, Inc., the largest operator of kidney dialysis clinics in the United States, has agreed to pay $5.2 million to resolve allegations that the company tested dialysis patients for Hepatitis B surface antigen more frequently than medically necessary and then billed Medicare for the unnecessary tests.
October 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Arkansas: Texarkana Physician Arrested For Over-Prescribing Opiates And Other Controlled Substances
Texarkana, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas and Justin King, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, announced today that Dr. Lonnie Joseph Parker was arrested today on federal charges. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Arkansas indicted Dr. Parker on nine counts of Prescribing Without a Legitimate Medical Purpose Outside the Scope of a Professional Practice.
October 7, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Texas Physician Convicted in $16 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury in Texas found a physician who was the owner and operator of a medical clinic in Houston, Texas, guilty today of participating in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme in which she signed false and fraudulent "plans of care" and other medical documents for purported home health services.
October 7, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Ohio: Six people pleaded guilty to crimes related to a health care fraud conspiracy in which Medicaid was billed $48 million for drug and alcohol recovery services, many of which were not provided, not medically necessary, lacked proper documentation
Six people from Ohio pleaded guilty in federal court to crimes related to a health care fraud conspiracy in which Medicaid was billed $48 million for drug and alcohol recovery services, many of which were not provided, not medically necessary, lacked proper documentation, or had other issues that made them ineligible for reimbursement.
October 4, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Tampa-Area Medical Marketing Company Sentenced to Prison for DNA Testing Fraud Scheme
The owner of a Tampa, Florida-area medical marketing company was sentenced to 70 months in prison today for his role in a $2.2 million Medicare fraud scheme involving the payment of kickbacks and bribes to fraudulent medical clinics in Miami in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for expensive genetic tests that were medically unnecessary, and for his role in the illegal structuring of cash withdrawal transactions.
October 4, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Central District of California: Eye Doctor Group, Physicians Pay $6.65 Million to Settle Allegations They Submitted Fraudulent Bills to Medicare and Medicaid
LOS ANGELES - A Southern California-based ophthalmology group, its former CEO and several of its physicians have paid the United States and California $6.65 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that they defrauded public health care programs by billing for unnecessary eye exams, improperly waiving Medicare co-payments, and violating other regulations, the Justice Department announced today.
October 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of West Virginia: Former Parkersburg Physician Pleads Guilty for His Role in Hope Clinic Conspiracy
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A former Parkersburg physician pled guilty to a drug conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Paul W. Burke, 68, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances not for legitimate medical purposes in the usual course of professional medical practice and beyond the bounds of medical practice.
October 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Lancaster Surgeon to Pay $4.25 Million to Resolve False Billing and Kickback Claims
PHILADELPHIA - First Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced a $4.25 million civil settlement with Glenn A. Kline, D.O. and Community Surgical Associates to resolve civil allegations relating to kickbacks received from two hospitals formerly operated by Health Management Associates (HMA) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in violation of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute. Dr. Kline's case is related to a larger investigation under which HMA agreed to pay $260 million to the United States to settle claims arising from HMA's fraudulent billing practices in multiple healthcare institutions across the United States.
October 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Hartford Licensed Professional Counselor Pays $45K to Settle False Claims Allegations
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that VALERIE WILLIAMS, LPC, and her business, CIRCLE OF LIFE TRANSITION CENTER, LLC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and will pay more than $45,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
October 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of South Dakota: Former Pine Ridge Indian Health Services Pediatrician Convicted of Multiple Sex Offenses Against Children
RAPID CITY, SD � United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Stanley Patrick Weber, age 70, of Spearfish, South Dakota, was found guilty by a federal jury of 5 counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and 3 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor following a week-long jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota.

September 2019

September 27, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Federal Law Enforcement Action Involving Fraudulent Genetic Testing Results in Charges Against 35 Individuals Responsible for Over $2.1 Billion in Losses in One of the Largest Health Care Fraud Schemes Ever Charged
A federal law enforcement action involving fraudulent genetic cancer testing has resulted in charges in five federal districts against 35 defendants associated with dozens of telemedicine companies and cancer genetic testing laboratories (CGx) for their alleged participation in one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever charged. According to the charges, these defendants fraudulently billed Medicare more than $2.1 billion for these CGx tests. Among those charged today are 10 medical professionals, including nine doctors.
September 27, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Midwest Health Care Fraud Law Enforcement Action Results in Charges Against 53 Individuals Alleging $250 Million in Loss
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division announced today a health care fraud law enforcement action in Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota. Charges were filed against 20 individuals in the Eastern District of Michigan for their alleged involvement in Medicare fraud schemes resulting in $144.8 million in illegitimate billings. In the Northern District of Illinois, charges were filed against 12 individuals for their alleged involvement in Medicare fraud schemes resulting in over $103 million in illegitimate billings. Of those charged in the two federal districts, seven were doctors or licensed medical professionals. In addition, in the state of Minnesota, 21 defendants, including two licensed medical professionals, have been charged with defrauding Medicaid for almost $3 million. Minnesota's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) investigated these cases.
September 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Maine: Bangor Ambulance Company Settles False Claims Act Allegations
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that a Bangor ambulance company has agreed to pay $138,285.30 to settle allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act ("FCA").
September 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Virginia: Former Pharmacy Owner Sentenced for Prescription Medication Fraud
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A former pharmacy owner was sentenced today to four years in prison for fraudulently filling and dispensing thousands of prescription medications, including opioids, outside the usual course of professional practice.
September 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: Nineteen defendants charged in largest healthcare fraud scheme in Southern District history
SAVANNAH, GA: More than a dozen defendants, including 10 physicians and other medical professionals, have been charged for their alleged participation in a massive healthcare fraud scheme responsible for - in the Southern District of Georgia alone - more than $400 million in losses to Medicare.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Pharmaceutical Company Targeting Elderly Victims Admits to Paying Kickbacks, Resolves Related False Claims Act Violations
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (Avanir), a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Aliso Viejo, California, was charged for paying kickbacks to a physician to induce prescriptions of its drug Nuedexta, the Department of Justice announced today. The Northern District of Ohio also announced indictments of four individuals, including former Avanir employees and one of the top prescribers of Nuedexta in the country, who were involved in the kickback scheme. Avanir has also agreed to pay over $95 million to resolve civil False Claims Act allegations of kickbacks as well as its false and misleading marketing of Nuedexta to providers in long term care facilities to induce them to prescribe it for behaviors commonly associated with dementia patients, which is not an approved use of the drug.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Federal Health Care Fraud Takedown in Northeastern U.S. Results in Charges Against 48 Individuals
The Justice Department today announced a coordinated health care fraud enforcement action across seven federal districts in the Northeastern United States, involving more than $800 million in loss and the distribution of over 3.25 million pills of opioids in "pill mill" clinics. The takedown includes new charges against 48 defendants for their roles in submitting over $160 million in fraudulent claims, including charges against 15 doctors or medical professionals, and 24 who were charged for their roles in diverting opioids.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Louisiana: Qui Tam Lawsuit and Federal Investigation Results in Half a Million Dollar Settlement to Resolve False Claims Act Liabilities
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney David C. Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana announces that Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana and its related companies, and the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College have agreed to pay $531,241.74 in damages and/or civil penalties to resolve claims that they violated the False Claims Act and other laws while operating University Health Hospital in Shreveport.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Additional New Jersey Case Announced As Part Of Federal Health Care Fraud Takedown In Northeastern U.S.
NEWARK, N.J. - The Justice Department today announced a coordinated health care fraud enforcement action across seven federal districts in the Northeastern United States, involving more than $800 million in losses and the distribution of over 3.25 million pills of opioids in "pill mill" clinics and doctors' offices. The takedown includes new charges and convictions by guilty plea against 54 defendants for their roles in submitting nearly $800 million in fraudulent claims made to federal payers, including 15 doctors or medical professionals, and 24 defendants are charged for their roles in diverting opioids.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: Southern District of Florida Charges 30 Individuals Responsible for $86 Million in Fraudulent Billing as Part of Healthcare Fraud Takedown
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Criminal Division; George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Atlanta Regional Office, announced that a total of 30 defendants were charged with offenses relating to their alleged participation in various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $86 million in fraudulent billings. Those charged included physicians as well as other medical and business professionals.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Ohio: Physicians and pharmacy sales reps indicted for kickback conspiracy in which doctors allegedly received money in exchange for writing unnecessary prescriptions of Nuedexta
Two doctors from Northeast Ohio and two drug company salesmen were indicted in federal court for their roles in a kickback conspiracy in which the doctors allegedly received money and other things of value in exchange for writing prescriptions of Nuedexta for patients that did not have the condition.
September 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Health Care Fraud And Opioid Enforcement Action Brings Multiple Charges Across The Middle District Of Florida
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces a significant health care fraud and opioid enforcement operation across the Middle District of Florida, involving charges against seven individuals for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care benefit programs, and in various conspiracies to illicitly obtain and distribute oxycodone and other controlled substances.
September 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Florida and Georgia Health Care Fraud Law Enforcement Action Results in Charges against 67 Individuals
The Justice Department announced today a significant health care fraud enforcement operation across Florida and Georgia, involving charges against a total of 67 individuals across four federal districts for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $160 million in fraudulent billings. Those charged included physicians as well as other medical and business professionals. In addition, in the state of Florida, 16 defendants, including one licensed mental health professionals, have been charged with defrauding the Medicaid program out of over $1.2 million. Florida's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) investigated these cases.
September 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Gulf Coast Health Care Fraud Law Enforcement Action Results in Charges Against 33 Individuals
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division announced today an expansive health care fraud enforcement operation across the Gulf Coast, involving charges against a total of 11 individuals across four federal districts for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and to obtain oxycodone and other controlled substances by fraud. The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $515 million in fraudulent billings. Those charged included physicians, licensed social workers, as well as other medical and business professionals. In addition, in the state of Louisiana, 22 defendants, including 19 certified mental and home health professionals, have been charged with defrauding Medicaid out of approximately $300,000. These cases were investigated by Louisiana's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).
September 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Trident USA Health Services LLC to Pay $8.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability for Alleged Kickback Scheme
PHILADELPHIA, PA - First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced today an $8.5 million civil settlement to resolve two False Claims Act cases, United States et al. ex rel. Ravi Srivastava v. Trident USA Health Services LLC, Symphony Diagnostic Services No. 1, Inc. dba MobilexUSA, Civil Action No. 16-2956 (E.D. Pa.), and United States ex rel. Peter Goldman v. Symphony Diagnostic Services No. 1, LLC, d/b/a MobilexUSA, Civil Action No. 19-cv-01603 (E.D. Pa.). The lawsuits were filed by whistleblowers Ravi Srivastava and Peter Goldman, respectively, on behalf of the United States. The defendant is MobilexUSA, also known as Trident USA Health Services, LLC (Trident).
September 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Pharmacy Owners Agree to Pay $1.1 Million and Abide by 10-Year Federal Healthcare Exclusion to Resolve False Claims Act Liability
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that the owners of E-Z Pharmacy in Philadelphia have agreed to pay $1,100,000 to resolve liability under the False Claims Act.
September 23, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Fayette County Family Practitioner Charged in 29-Count Indictment with Dispensing Opioids in Exchange for Sex and Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH - A physician who operates a private family practice in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
September 23, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: United States Files Suit Against Pharmacy, Pharmacy Owner, and Pharmacist-in-Charge for Alleged False Billing
PHILADELPHIA, PA - First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that the United States has filed a civil lawsuit against G & A Somerton Pharmacy LLC ("Somerton"), its owner Polina Khodak, and its pharmacist-in-charge, Inessa Lerner, alleging that they violated the False Claims Act when they knowingly billed Medicare for over $1 million worth of prescription drugs that were never actually dispensed to beneficiaries, during the period January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2015. These medications included but were not limited to Lidoderm, Advair Diskus, Omeprazole, Solaraze, Nexium, Donepezil, Novolog, Meclizine, Lidocaine, and Januvia.
September 19, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Florida: Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor And Counseling Center Owner Indicted For Medicaid Fraud, Conspiracy, False Statements, And Aggravated Identity Theft
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Stephanie Lynn Fleming, 42, and Helen Elizabeth Storey, 37, both of Waldorf, Maryland (and formerly of Tallahassee, Florida), were arrested in Maryland after a federal grand jury in Tallahassee returned an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, 75 counts of health care fraud, false statements in connection with a health care matter, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The offenses are alleged to have been committed in the Northern District of Florida. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
September 19, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Texas: North Texans Charged with Health Care Fraud Violations
SHERMAN, Texas - Three North Texas residents have been indicted on health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
September 18, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Charges Brought Against 34 Individuals for Alleged West Coast Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Schemes Totaling $258 Million
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division announced today a health care fraud enforcement action in the state of California, involving charges brought against a total of 26 individuals in the Central District of California for their alleged involvement in Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes resulting in $257 million in billings. Of those charged, 14 were doctors or medical professionals. In addition, in the states of Arizona and Oregon, eight defendants, including three licensed medical professionals, have been charged with defrauding the Medicaid program out of over $1 million. These cases were investigated by each state's respective Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
September 18, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Detroit-Area Health Care Clinics Pleads Guilty to Drug Diversion Scheme
The owner of a Detroit-area pain clinic and physical therapy clinic pleaded guilty today for her role in a drug diversion scheme.
September 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Central District of California: 25 Southern California Defendants Face Federal Charges Alleging Fraud Schemes that Cost Health Care Programs Millions of Dollars
LOS ANGELES - A local health care fraud enforcement action has resulted in federal charges against of 25 Southern California defendants for their alleged involvement in healthcare fraud schemes that fraudulently sought over $150 million from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as private insurers and union health benefit plans. Fourteen of those charged in federal court in Los Angeles and Santa Ana are doctors or medical professionals.
September 18, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Texas Health Care Fraud and Opioid Takedown Results in Charges Against 58 Individuals
The Justice Department announced today a coordinated health care fraud enforcement operation across the state of Texas, involving charges against a total of 58 individuals across all four federal districts in Texas for their alleged involvement in Medicare fraud schemes and networks of "pill mill" clinics resulting in $66 million in losses and 6.2 million pills. Of those charged, 16 were doctors or medical professionals, and 20 were charged for their role in diverting opioids.
September 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Texas: Longview Ambulance Operator Guilty of Health Care Fraud
TYLER, Texas - A 62-year-old Longview, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown.
September 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Texas: Texas Healthcare Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 58 Individuals
The Justice Department announced today a coordinated health care fraud enforcement operation across the state of Texas, involving charges against a total of 58 individuals across all four federal districts in Texas for their alleged involvement in Medicare fraud schemes and networks of "pill mill" clinics resulting in $66 million in loss and 6.2 million pills. Of those charged, 16 were doctors or medical professionals, and 20 were charged for their role in diverting opioids.
September 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Haverhill Nurse Pleads Guilty to Drug Tampering
BOSTON - A Haverhill licensed practical nurse pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to drug tampering.
September 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Doctor and Physician Practice to Pay $178,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Liability Arising from Billing of "P-Stim" Devices
PHILADELPHIA, PA - First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Richard P. Frey, D.O., and Physicians Alliance Ltd. ("PAL") have agreed to pay $178,398.35 to resolve liability under the False Claims Act for the alleged improper billing of "P-Stim" devices.
September 16, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Texas Hospital Administrator Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Role in $16 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Houston, Texas-area hospital administrator was sentenced today for his role in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme involving partial hospitalization programs.
September 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Four People Charged In $99 Million Scheme To Commit Health Care Fraud And Wire Fraud And Pay Kickbacks To Doctors And Their Employees
TRENTON, N.J. - Four people have been charged for their roles in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and to pay kickbacks to doctors and doctors' employees, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
September 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: South Florida Health Care Facility Owner Sentenced To 20 Years in Prison for Role in Largest Health Care Fraud Scheme Ever Charged By the Department Of Justice
A federal district judge sentenced a south Florida health care facility owner to 20 years in prison today after being found guilty in the largest health care fraud scheme charged by the U.S. Justice Department. The case involves a decades-long scheme of kickbacks and money laundering in connection with fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid for services deemed medically unnecessary.
September 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia: Former Dentist Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
WASHINGTON - Bilal Ahmed, 47, of Potomac, Maryland, pled guilty on September 6, 2019, to a federal charge of health care fraud stemming from a scheme in which he and others caused the District of Columbia's Medicaid program to be defrauded out of more than $5 million.
September 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Settles Civil Fraud Claims Against Medical Device Manufacturer For Selling Products Not Cleared By The FDA
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office ("FDA"), announced today that the United States has simultaneously filed and settled a civil fraud lawsuit under the False Claims Act against AVALIGN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ("Avalign"), and its subsidiary INSTRUMED INTERNATIONAL, INC. ("Instrumed," and together with Avalign, "Defendants"), for manufacturing and selling medical devices that were not cleared by the FDA. These uncleared devices were used by medical providers in spinal surgeries, circumcisions, and other medical procedures. The providers submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare and Medicaid for those procedures. As part of the settlement, approved in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, Defendants agreed to pay the Government $9,500,000 and admitted to conduct alleged in the United States' complaint.
September 12, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: South Florida Health Care Facility Owner Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in Largest Health Care Fraud Scheme Ever Charged by The Department of Justice
A federal district judge sentenced a south Florida health care facility owner to 20 years in prison today after being found guilty in the largest health care fraud scheme charged by the U.S. Justice Department. The case involves a decades-long scheme of kickbacks and money laundering in connection with fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid for services deemed medically unnecessary.
September 12, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: New Jersey Doctor Pleads Guilty to $13 Million Conspiracy to Defraud Medicare with Telemedicine Orders of Orthotic Braces
A Toms River, New Jersey physician pleaded guilty today for his role in a $13 million health care fraud scheme, which previously resulted in charges in April 2019 against 23 other defendants in one of the largest health care fraud cases investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice.
September 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Pharmacy Owner Charged With Illegally Distributing Oxycodone And Operating A Health Care Fraud And Kickback Scheme
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Raymond P. Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General ("HHS-OIG"), and James P. O'Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), announced today the arrest of MICHAEL PAULSEN, the owner and operator of a pharmacy located in Staten Island. The Indictment unsealed today charges PAULSEN with conspiring to illegally distribute oxycodone, committing health care fraud, and providing "kickbacks" to customers from Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to induce them to obtain substances from his pharmacy. PAULSEN will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott later today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
September 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa: Occupational Therapist Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Accessing Private Health Data and Stealing Opioids
A licensed occupational therapist who improperly accessed the private health and residence information of at least 1,900 patients, and then entered or burglarized thirteen homes across North Central Iowa in repeated attempts to steal prescription opioids from vulnerable and elderly persons, was sentenced September 9, 2019, to more than one year in federal prison.
September 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Owners Of Pasco County Marketing Firm Plead Guilty For Conspiring To Pay Healthcare Kickbacks
Tampa, Florida - Frank Monte (40, Valrico) and Kimberley Anderson (52, New Port Richey) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks. Each faces up to five years in federal prison and each has also agreed to forfeit $1,717,925.50 in assets.
September 9, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Caddo Parish mental health counseling firm owner and supervisor indicted for billing nearly $8 million for services not provided, paying kickbacks
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two Northwest Louisiana residents who owned and ran the Positive Change Counseling Agency LLC were indicted for improperly billing Medicaid for almost $8 million, in addition to paying kickbacks in violation of the law.
September 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: Mission Family Practitioner Pays $2 Million to Resolve Allegations
McALLEN, Texas - A South Texas doctor has agreed to pay the United States $2,133,959.30 to resolve allegations he fraudulently submitted claims to the Medicare program for medically unnecessary diagnostic tests, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
September 6, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Telemedicine Company Pleads Guilty to $424 Million Conspiracy to Defraud Medicare and Receive Illegal Kickbacks in Exchange for Orders of Durable Medical Equipment
The owner and chief executive officer (CEO) of a telemedicine company pleaded guilty today for his role in one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, which resulted in charges in April 2019 against 24 defendants.
September 5, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: New York Ambulette Company Owners Plead Guilty in More than $8.6 Million Health Care Kickback Scheme
Two New York ambulette company owners pleaded guilty today for their roles in a more than $8.6 million health care kickback scheme.
September 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Doctor Agrees to Pay More Than $471,000 to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for Accepting Kickback Payments
In a civil settlement agreement with the U.S. Government, an orthopedic surgeon has agreed to pay $471,221.46 to resolve allegations that he knowingly accepted illegal kickback payments in exchange for prescribing pain creams compounded and produced by OK Compounding, LLC, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
September 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of California: Bay Area's Largest Home Health Care Agency And 28 Health Care Industry Workers Charged In Patients-For-Cash Kickback Scheme
SAN FRANCISCO - Federal complaints have been filed against 30 defendants charged in a patients-for-cash kickback scheme, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), Steven J. Ryan.
September 4, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Drug Maker Mallinckrodt Agrees to Pay Over $15 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for "Wining and Dining" Doctors
Pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt ARD LLC (formerly known as Mallinckrodt ARD Inc. and previously Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. "Questcor"), has agreed to pay $15.4 million to resolve claims that Questcor paid illegal kickbacks to doctors, in the form of lavish dinners and entertainment, to induce prescriptions of the company's drug, H.P. Acthar Gel (Acthar) from 2009 through 2013.
September 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia: West Virginia physician sentenced for illegal opioid distribution to patients
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA- Dr. Felix Brizuela, Jr., of Harrison City, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 48 months incarceration for illegally distributing opioids, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
September 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia: Pennsylvania physician admits to drug charge
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Dr. Parth Bharill, a Pittsburgh and Morgantown physician, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
September 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia: Home health care owner pleads guilty to defrauding Georgia Medicaid
ATLANTA - Diandra Bankhead, the owner and operator of Elite Homecare ("Elite"), an Atlanta-based home healthcare provider, has pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicaid by submitting thousands of fraudulent claims for services that were never provided to medically fragile children under the Georgia Pediatric Program ("GAPP").

August 2019

August 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Louisiana Physician's Assistant Sentenced to Prison for Scheme to Unlawfully Distribute Controlled Substances
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based physician's assistant was sentenced to seven years in prison today for his role in a scheme to unlawfully distribute prescriptions for thousands of oxycodone pills.
August 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Tennessee Health Care Executive Sentenced to Prison for Role In $4.6 Million Kickback Scheme
A Tennessee health care executive was sentenced to 42 months in prison yesterday for her role in a $4.6 million kickback scheme.
August 28, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Illinois: Owners of Suburban Youth Counseling Center Indicted on Fraud Charges for Allegedly Defrauding Illinois Medicaid out of $4 Million
CHICAGO - The owners of a suburban Chicago youth counseling center defrauded Illinois Medicaid out of approximately $4 million through a fraudulent billing scheme, according to an indictment returned in federal court.
August 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada: Northern Nevada Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Illegally Writing Opioid Prescriptions
RENO, Nev. - A northern Nevada doctor specializing in family medicine was sentenced today to one year and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay a $125,000 fine for overprescribing highly addictive pain pills Oxycodone and Hydrocodone not for a legitimate medical purpose, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI's Las Vegas Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca for the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
August 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of West Virginia: Charleston Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution of Methadone
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston doctor who practiced at Neurology & Pain Center, PLLC pled guilty to illegal distribution of controlled substances that were not for legitimate medical purposes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Muhammed Samer Nasher-Alneam admitted to writing prescriptions in July 2014 for oxycodone and methadone pills that were not within the bounds of professional medical practice or for legitimate medical purposes. Pursuant to his guilty plea, Nasher agreed to permanently surrender both his medical license and DEA registration. He further agreed to never seek reinstatement of a license to practice as a medical doctor in any other state.
August 23, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Illinois: Metro East Dentist Charged with Health Care Fraud
A St. Louis-area dentist has been charged with executing a wide-ranging health care fraud scheme over several years. Dr. Yun Sup Kim, 48, of St. Louis, is under federal indictment for allegedly defrauding Illinois Medicaid out of hundreds of thousands of dollars from his dental office in Swansea, Illinois. The 20-page indictment charges Kim with 12 counts of health care fraud and one count of wire fraud in connection with his dental practice.
August 21, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Two Los Angeles Pharmacy Owners Found Guilty in Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
A federal jury found two Los Angeles pharmacy owners guilty yesterday for their participation in a $35 million health care fraud and money laundering scheme to bill Medicare for medications that were never provided and to launder the proceeds of the fraud.
August 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: New Castle Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing and Distributing Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Opana ER
PITTSBURGH - A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully prescribing and distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
August 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Ohio: Port Clinton physician indicted for prescribing thousands of doses of powerful painkillers, such as fentanyl and oxycodone, without regard to medical necessity
A Port Clinton physician was indicted in federal court for allegedly prescribing thousands of doses powerful painkillers such as fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and other drugs, without regard to medical necessity, as well as healthcare fraud.
August 20, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Pharmacy Owner Sentenced for Health Care Fraud and Filing False Tax Returns
St. Louis, MO - Rehan A. Rana, 46, of Ellisville, MO, was sentenced on Friday, August 16, 2019 to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100.000 fine, restitution in the amount of $751,787 to the Internal Revenue Service, and $526,285 to the Medicare Program. Rana appeared before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
August 20, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Festus Doctor and His Company Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud
St. Louis, MO - Antoine Adem, M.D., 49, of Festus, MO, and his company, Midwest Cardiovascular, Inc., plead guilty to their involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme. Adem appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted the guilty pleas and set sentencing for November 19, 2019.
August 19, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Nigerian Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in $8.3 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme and Related Money Laundering
A Nigerian man was sentenced to 46 months in prison today for his role in a durable medical equipment (DME) scheme in which more than $8 million was fraudulently billed to Medicare for DME that was not medically necessary.
August 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Ashland Physician and Substance Abuse Treatment Center Agree To Pay $1.4 Million to Resolve Civil Claims
ASHLAND, Ky. - An Ashland addiction treatment specialist, Dr. Rose O. Uradu, and her substance abuse treatment center, Ultimate Care Medical Services, LLC d/b/a Ultimate Treatment Center, have agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve civil allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act, and defrauded the Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid programs.
August 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Alabama: Birmingham Psychologist Agrees to Plead Guilty to Defrauding State Medicaid Agency of $1.5 Million by Filing False Claims for Counseling
BIRMINGHAM- A one-count information filed yesterday in U.S. District Court charges a Birmingham psychologist with defrauding the Alabama Medicaid Agency by filing false claims for counseling services that were not provided, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-OIG Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson, and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
August 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Alabama: Qui Tam Lawsuit and Federal Investigation Results in Settlement and $1.2 Million Payment by Baldwin Bone & Joint, P.C.
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Baldwin Bone & Joint, P.C. (BB&J), an orthopedic surgery and physical therapy practice located in Daphne, Alabama, has agreed to pay a total of $1.2 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging that it violated the False Claims Act. The settlement also resolves an allegation that BB&J violated the Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly referred to as the Stark Law.
August 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Central District of California: High Desert Pharmacist Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Distributing Prescription Opioids and Money Laundering
LOS ANGELES - A High Desert pharmacist who illegally distributed oxycodone by filling hundreds of counterfeit prescriptions was ordered today to serve 63 months in federal prison.
August 8, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Medicare Advantage Provider and Physician to Pay $5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Beaver Medical Group L.P. (Beaver) and one of its physicians, Dr. Sherif Khalil, have agreed to pay a total of $5,039,180 to resolve allegations that they reported invalid diagnoses to Medicare Advantage plans and thereby caused those plans to receive inflated payments from Medicare, the Justice Department announced. Beaver is headquartered in Redlands, California.
August 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia: Former Personal Care Aide Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
WASHINGTON - Mobolaji Tina Stewart, 58, of Laurel, Maryland, pled guilty today to a federal charge of health care fraud stemming from a scheme in which she caused the District of Columbia's Medicaid program to be defrauded out of more than $500,000.
August 7, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: United States Files Suit Against Montgomery County Psychiatrist for Alleged Improper Opioid Prescribing
PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that the United States filed a civil lawsuit against Elizabeth N. Kuh, a psychiatrist practicing in Montgomery County, alleging that she wrote improper opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions for two of her patients. According to the complaint, Kuh wrote 30 opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions to a husband and wife couple which lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were issued outside the usual course of professional practice, and many of which resulted in false claims to Medicare.
August 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia: Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $300,000 in Healthcare Fraud Scheme
ATLANTA - Michael Bang has pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud charges related to a fraudulent reimbursement scheme targeting the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association ("COPERA").
August 2, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: District of Columbia Physician Indicted for Alleged Role in $12.7 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A physician with a practice in the District of Columbia was charged in an indictment unsealed today for his role in an alleged $12.7 million health care fraud scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for complicated medical procedures he never provided.
August 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Puerto Rico: Doctor Indicted and Arrested For Health Care Fraud
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - On July 31, 2019, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Dr. Antonio REYES-VIZCARRONDO with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of health care fraud. The defendant was arrested today, announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodr�guez-V�lez of the District of Puerto Rico. The Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are in charge of the investigation.
August 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Three Individuals Charged in Oxycodone Prescription Fraud Scheme
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Vernon Police Chief James Kenny today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging three individuals with offenses related to the illegal acquisition and distribution of oxycodone obtained through fraudulent prescriptions. JAYSON KEMP, 42, of East Windsor, ORAL WELBORN, 58, of Columbia, South Carolina, and MARIA PIRULLI, 42, of New Haven, were arrested this morning.
August 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan Doctor Pleads Guilty To Accepting Bribes And Kickbacks From Pharmaceutical Company In Exchange For Prescribing Fentanyl Drug
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DIALECTI VOUDOURIS, a doctor who practiced in Manhattan, pled guilty today to conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, in connection with a scheme to prescribe Subsys, a potent fentanyl-based spray, in exchange for bribes and kickbacks from Subsys's manufacturer, Insys Therapeutics. VOUDOURIS pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood.
August 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Telemarketer And His Companies Agree To Pay $2.5 Million To Settle Allegations That They Operated Telemedicine Schemes Involving Illegal Kickbacks And Unnecessary Prescriptions
United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez and U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee announce that Scott Roix, together with several entities through which he ran his telemarketing business, including HealthRight, LLC; Health Savings Solutions, LLC; Vici Marketing, LLC; and Vici Marketing Group, LLC (hereinafter collectively referred to as "marketing companies"), have agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve allegations that Roix and these marketing companies violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs in connection with telemedicine health care fraud schemes.

July 2019

July 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Fitchburg Woman Indicted For Social Security, MassHealth And Food Stamp Fraud
BOSTON - A Fitchburg woman was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, MassHealth, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
July 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Patient Recruiter Found Guilty in $1.3 Million Medicare Kickback Scheme
A federal jury in Detroit, Michigan found a patient recruiter guilty today for his role in a scheme involving approximately $1.3 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
July 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: Medical Business Owner Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Medicare Fraud
AUGUSTA, GA: The owner of a Thomson, Ga., medical equipment company was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison Tuesday, July 30, for a wide-ranging Medicare fraud scheme.
July 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama: Psychiatrist with Office in Opelika Indicted on Drug Distribution Charges
Montgomery, AL - On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, Dr. James Henry Edwards, III, 72, of Fairhope, Alabama, appeared in court for an arraignment after being charged with drug distribution offenses, announced United States Attorney Louis v. Franklin, Sr. Until his arrest on July 11, 2019, Dr. Edwards was a practicing psychiatrist with offices in Opelika and Gulf Shores, Alabama.
July 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Missouri Pain Medicine Doctor and Wife Indicted for Purchasing Illegal Medical Devices and Healthcare Fraud
St. Louis, MO -Dr. Abdul Naushad, 55, and his wife, Wajiha Naushad, 44, both of Town and Country, MO, were indicted today in a 21-count indictment for purchasing non-FDA approved medical devices, Orthovisc, from Canada and England and smuggling the same devices into the United States. The couple was also charged with health care fraud related to billing for the same devices, when they knew Medicare and Medicaid would not reimburse for the non-FDA approved devices. Orthovisc, in a pre-filled syringe, is injected into the knee to relieve osteoarthritis pain and is available only by prescription. Dr. Naushad did not disclose to his patients that they were receiving non-FDA approved Orthovisc.
July 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Virginia: Woman Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to Medicaid
NORFOLK, Va. - A Virginia Beach woman pleaded guilty today to making a false statement to the Medicaid Program.
July 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Eagleville Hospital Pays $2.85 Million to Resolve Allegations of Improper Billing for Detox Treatment
PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney William McSwain announced today that Eagleville Hospital, which provides substance use disorder treatment in Eagleville, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $2.85 million to the federal government to resolve allegations that the hospital violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program ("FEHBP") for hospital-level detoxification treatment services when the patients were ineligible for admission to receive such services or lacked documentation to support the claims.
July 23, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Files Lawsuit Against Spinal Implant Company, Its CEO, And Another Executive For Illegally Paying Millions Of Dollars In Kickbacks To Surgeons In Exchange For Using Its Products
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General ("HHS-OIG"), announced today that the United States has filed a civil healthcare fraud lawsuit against LIFE SPINE INC. ("LIFE SPINE"), MICHAEL BUTLER, the founder, president, and chief executive officer of LIFE SPINE, and RICHARD GREIBER, the vice president of business development of LIFE SPINE. The Government's complaint seeks damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act for paying kickbacks in the form of millions of dollars of consulting fees, royalties, and intellectual property acquisition fees to surgeons to induce them to use LIFE SPINE's spinal implants, devices, and equipment. The lawsuit alleges that the surgeons who received these payments accounted for approximately half of LIFE SPINE's total domestic sales of spinal products from 2012 through 2018. As set forth in the complaint, these payments violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and, as a result of this unlawful conduct, LIFE SPINE, BUTLER, and GREIBER caused hospitals and surgeons to submit false claims for payment to Medicare and Medicaid.
July 23, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia-Based Pharmacy Owners Agree to Pay $400,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Liability
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William McSwain announced that the owners of E-Z Pharmacy II in Philadelphia have agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve liability under the False Claims Act.
July 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada: 67-Year-Old Las Vegas Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Unlawfully Prescribing Opioids
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A pain management doctor who practiced in Las Vegas was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison today to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for unlawfully prescribing addictive opioids Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
July 19, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York: Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Hal Abrahamson, a podiatrist with offices in Plainview, Long Island, and Rego Park, Queens, was sentenced by United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley to one year and a day in prison for his role in a health care fraud scheme. The Court also ordered Abrahamson to pay restitution of $869,651, a $50,000 fine and forfeit $177,000. On June 26, 2018, Abrahamson pleaded guilty to health care fraud in connection with the operation of his podiatry practice.
July 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio: Pharmaceutical Distributor & Executives, Pharmacists Charged With Unlawfully Distributing Painkillers
CINCINNATI - A federal grand jury has charged a pharmaceutical distributor, two of its former officials and two pharmacists with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in an indictment returned here yesterday.
July 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Connecticut Pain Management Doctor and His Practice Pay Over $425K to Settle Improper Billing Allegations
U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that COMPREHENSIVE PAIN AND HEADACHE TREATMENT CENTERS, LLC ("CPHTC") and its owner, MARK THIMINEUR, M.D., have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay more than $425,000 to resolve allegations that they improperly billed the Medicare and Connecticut Medicaid programs.
July 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Contracted Physician, Operations Manager of Redirections Treatment Advocates Sentenced for Suboxone Distribution Scheme
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Two former employees of Redirections Treatment Advocates - a contracted physician and the clinic's operations manager - have been sentenced in federal court for offenses related to the unlawful distribution of controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
July 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio: Medical Billing Company Owner Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The owner of a medical and dental billing company was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for her role in committing more than $2 million in health care fraud.
July 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Owensboro Man Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Today, an Owensboro man admitted in federal court that he participated in a conspiracy to defraud health insurance programs of more than $1.3 million.
July 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Millcreek Community Hospital Will Pay $2,451,000 to Settle Claims for Medically Unnecessary Inpatient Rehabilitation Services
PITTSBURGH - Millcreek Community Hospital, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $2,451,000 to resolve claims that the hospital violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary inpatient rehabilitation services, Scott W. Brady announced today.
July 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: Pharmacists charged in fraud, diversion investigations
SAVANNAH, GA: Two Georgia pharmacists have been charged after separate federal investigations involving fraud and diversion of drugs to non-patients.
July 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Bridgeport Woman Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft, Health Care Fraud Offenses
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NIKKITA CHESNEY, 46, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to seven months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a Medicaid fraud scheme.
July 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland: Physician Assistant Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charge For Conspiring To Distribute And Dispense Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Methadone, And Alprazaolam At A Pain Management Practice With Offices In Towson And Owings Mills
Baltimore, Maryland - William Soyke, age 66, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, and alprazolam outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
July 11, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Justice Department Obtains $1.4 Billion from Reckitt Benckiser Group in Largest Recovery in a Case Concerning an Opioid Drug in United States History
Global consumer goods conglomerate Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (RB Group) has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to resolve its potential criminal and civil liability related to a federal investigation of the marketing of the opioid addiction treatment drug Suboxone. The resolution - the largest recovery by the United States in a case concerning an opioid drug - includes the forfeiture of proceeds totaling $647 million, civil settlements with the federal government and the states totaling $700 million, and an administrative resolution with the Federal Trade Commission for $50 million.
July 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan: Bay City Vascular Surgeon Charged In Connection With $60 Million Health Care Fraud & Laundering More Than $49 Million Government Seeks Forfeiture Of Approximately $39.9 Million Seized From Defendant
An indictment unsealed today charges Dr. Vasso Godiali, age 56, vascular surgeon, with orchestrating a $60 million health care fraud scheme. Dr. Godiali is also charged with money laundering, for financial transactions involving approximately $49 million in proceeds he derived from the scheme. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.
July 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Virginia: Former Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Dispensing Opioids
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A former pharmacy owner pleaded guilty today to fraudulently filling and dispensing thousands of prescription medications, including opioids, outside the usual course of professional practice.
July 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York: Owner of Essex County-Based Medical Transportation Company Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Qaiser Gondal, age 47, of Watervliet, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to defraud Medicaid.
July 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Rural Metro of Southern Ohio, Inc. Agrees to Pay $275,116 to Resolve Allegations of False Claims to Medicare
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Rural Metro of Southern Ohio, Inc. ("Rural Metro") has agreed to resolve civil allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims to the federal government, agreeing to pay $275,116.22.
July 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa: Webster City Doctor Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements about Medicare Claims
A Webster City doctor who made false statements to the United States Attorney's Office about Medicare claims that the doctor had billed for his nursing home patients pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
July 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Bucks County Ambulance Companies and their Owners Agree to $450K+ Judgment for Defrauding Medicare
PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that ambulance companies Unicare Ambulance LLC and PA Paramedics LLC, d/b/a EasternCare Ambulance based in Bensalem, PA, their owners, Damon Wade, and Wade's ex-wife, Amy Wade, also of Bensalem, have agreed to a judgment against them jointly and severally in the amount of $459,907.42 to resolve allegations made by the United States that they made repeated false statements to state and federal officials. As part of the settlement, each defendant has also agreed to a term of exclusion of not less than five years from all federal health care programs.
July 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York: Anesthesiologist Indicted for Alleged Role in $7 Million Telemedicine Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Anna Steiner, an anesthesiologist, was arraigned on an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit health care fraud for her alleged role in a telemedicine scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicare Part D plans and private insurance plans. Steiner was previously arrested on a complaint in April 2019, and was arraigned this morning before United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser.
July 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Kansas: Kansas Chiropractors Pay $350,000 To Settle False Claim Allegations
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - Two Kansas City area chiropractors have paid $350,000 to settle allegations that they submitted false claims to Medicare, U.S. Attorney Steven McAllister said today.
July 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Substance Abuse Treatment Center Owner Pleads Guilty To $57 Million Money Laundering Conspiracy In Connection With Hospital Pass-Through Billing Scheme
Jacksonville, FL - The owner of a Jacksonville, Florida-area substance abuse treatment center pleaded guilty today for his role in a $57 million money laundering conspiracy associated with a pass-through billing scheme involving laboratory testing services.
July 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Illinois Man Sentenced for Health Care Fraud - Participated in Kickback Scheme Involving Medical Laboratory
St. Louis, MO - Anthony B. Camillo, 62, of Madison County, Illinois, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and to pay illegal kickbacks for health care services. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig and ordered Camillo to pay $3,469,810 in restitution.
July 5,2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: New York Doctor Will Pay Nearly $130,000 for Allegedly Engaging in an Illegal Kickback Scheme
A New York doctor has agreed to pay the government $127,072.34 for allegedly accepting illegal kickback payments from OK Compounding, L.L.C., announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
July 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Virginia: Norton Doctor Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint
Abingdon, VIRGINIA - Dr. Raymond Michael Moore, a Norton-based, licensed, medical doctor, was arrested this morning and charged via federal criminal complaint with obtaining schedule II and schedule IV controlled substances by fraud or misrepresentation, failing to maintain proper records for schedule II and schedule IV controlled substances, and making false statements. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring made the announcement.
July 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina: Sumter Women Sentenced to Federal Prison in Healthcare Fraud Scheme
Columbia, South Carolina - United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Angela Breitweiser Keith, age 53, and Ann Davis Eldridge, age 58, both of Sumter, were sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of making false statements to defraud Medicaid. United States Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett of Columbia sentenced Keith to 12 months in federal prison and Eldridge to 6 months.
July 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Registered Nurse Indicted on Drug Diversion Charge
BOSTON - A Haverhill nurse was charged in federal court in Boston with tampering with patients' morphine.
July 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Wisconsin: Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. Voluntarily Discloses and Agrees to Pay over $500,000 To Resolve False Billings To Medicare and Medicaid
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced today that Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. ("WCS") agreed to pay $537, 904.33 to the United States and the State of Wisconsin to resolve false claims for prescription medications submitted by WCS to Medicare and Medicaid in violation of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §3729-3733.

June 2019

June 28, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Encompass Health Agrees to Pay $48 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to its Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Encompass Health Corporation (formerly known as HealthSouth Corporation), the nation's largest operator of inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), has agreed to pay $48 million to resolve allegations that some of its IRFs provided inaccurate information to Medicare to maintain their status as an IRF and to earn a higher rate of reimbursement, and that some admissions to its IRFs were not medically necessary.
June 28, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Pennsylvania: York Man Sentenced On Health Care Fraud Charges
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nagy Mohamed Abdelhamed, age 68, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 27, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, to two years' probation on Health Care Fraud charges stemming from his fraudulent receipt of Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamp benefits.
June 27, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Tampa-Area Medical Marketing Company Found Guilty in $2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found the owner of a Tampa, Florida-area medical marketing company guilty today for his role in an over $2.2 million Medicare fraud scheme involving the payment of kickbacks and bribes to medical clinics in Miami in exchange for the referral of DNA swabs that were obtained from Medicare beneficiaries.
June 27, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Tampa-Area Medical Marketing Company Found Guilty in $2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found the owner of a Tampa, Florida-area medical marketing company guilty today for his role in an over $2.2 million Medicare fraud scheme involving the payment of kickbacks and bribes to medical clinics in Miami in exchange for the referral of DNA swabs that were obtained from Medicare beneficiaries.
June 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: "Goodie Bag" Doctor Charged with Health Care Fraud and Oxycodone Distribution
PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Andrew M. Berkowitz, M.D., 60, of Huntington Valley, PA, was charged by Indictment with 19 counts of health care fraud, and 23 counts of distributing oxycodone outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
June 26, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Michigan Patient Recruiter Sentenced to Prison for $1.5 Million Kickback Scheme
A Michigan patient recruiter was sentenced to 60 months in prison today for her role in a scheme involving approximately $1.5 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
June 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Middletown Rheumatologist Admits Defrauding Medicaid Program
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CRISPIN ABARIENTOS, M.D., 44, of Middletown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of health care fraud.
June 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan Doctor Pleads Guilty To Accepting Bribes And Kickbacks From Pharmaceutical Company In Exchange For Prescribing Fentanyl Drug
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that TODD SCHLIFSTEIN, a doctor who practiced in Manhattan, pled guilty today to conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, in connection with a scheme to prescribe Subsys, a potent fentanyl-based spray, in exchange for bribes and kickbacks from Subsys's manufacturer, Insys Therapeutics. SCHLIFSTEIN pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood.
June 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Penn Medicine Agrees to Pay $275,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William McSwain announced today that the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Health System ("Penn Medicine") agreed to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that the Lancaster General Hospital's division of Maternal Fetal Medicine (LGH-MFM), a component of Penn Medicine, submitted false claims to Medicaid for obstetric ultrasounds.
June 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: St. Louis County Dentist Pleads Guilty to Illegal Prescriptions for Opioid Narcotic Drugs and Medicare Fraud
St. Louis, MO - Bradley A. Seyer, D.D.S., 53, of Florissant, Missouri, pled guilty today to two felony charges for making false statements to Medicare and illegally distributing narcotic opioid drugs, specifically hydrocodone, without a legitimate medical purpose. Seyer appeared before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for September 25, 2019.
June 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: New Jersey/Pennsylvania Doctor Indicted For Accepting Bribes And Kickbacks From A Pharmaceutical Company In Exchange For Prescribing Powerful Fentanyl Drug
A doctor who practiced in New Jersey and Pennsylvania was charged in an indictment unsealed today for his alleged participation in a scheme to receive bribes and kickbacks from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for prescribing large volumes of a powerful fentanyl narcotic.
June 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Oregon: Former President of Oregon Foster Care Agency Sentenced to Federal Prison for Theft, Money Laundering and Tax Evasion
PORTLAND, Ore.-Mary Holden Ayala, 59, of Portland, was sentenced today to 33 months in federal prison and three years' supervised release for stealing over $1 million from an Oregon foster care agency, money laundering and filing false personal income tax returns.
June 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Drug Company Sales Rep Sentenced for Role in Kickback Scheme Related to Fentanyl Spray Prescriptions
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATALIE LEVINE, 35, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to five years of probation for engaging in a kickback scheme related to fentanyl spray prescriptions. Judge Arterton also ordered Levine to spend the first six months of probation in home confinement, and to perform 150 hours of community service.
June 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Husband And Wife Sentenced To Prison In Compounding Healthcare Fraud Scheme
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Edward Leonard Wells, Jr. (34, North Carolina) to two years and eight months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and aggravated identity theft. On April 18, 2019, Wells's estranged wife, Alcira Mercedes Wells (34, Connecticut), was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. The court also entered a money judgment of $32,747.93, the proceeds of the healthcare fraud conspiracy. Alcira Wells and Edward Wells had pleaded guilty in January 2019.
June 20, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Former Medical Director and Two Former Operators of a Houston Medical Clinic Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
A medical director and two operators of a Houston, Texas, medical clinic were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their alleged participation in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme.
June 20, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland: Hart to Heart Ambulance Services to Pay $1.25 Million to Settle Federal False Claims Act Allegations
Baltimore, Maryland - After a multiple-year investigation and the government's intervention in a whistleblower lawsuit, Hart to Heart Ambulance Services, d/b/a/ Hart to Heart Transportation Services has agreed to pay the United States $1,250,000 to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it submitted false claims to Medicare for ambulance transport that was not medically necessary.
June 19, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Michigan Doctor Sentenced to Prison for His Role in Scheme to Unlawfully Distribute Opioids
A Detroit-area doctor was sentenced to 60 months in prison today for his role in a scheme to unlawfully distribute more than 23,000 pills of oxycodone.
June 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada: Las Vegas Cardiology Practice Agrees To Pay $2.5 Million Settlement Claim Involving Medicare Kickback Scheme
Las Vegas, NV - A Las Vegas cardiology practice has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle claims alleging that it referred patients for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks paid by the testing companies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
June 14, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: IBM Agrees to Pay $14.8 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and Cúram Software have agreed to pay $14.8 million to settle alleged violations of the False Claims Act arising from material misrepresentations to the State of Maryland during the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) contract award process for the development of Maryland's Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) website and IT platform, the Department of Justice announced today.
June 14, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Fox Chapel Cardiologist Convicted at Trial of Health Care Fraud Involving more than $13 Million of Insurance Billings
PITTSBURGH - After deliberating for two hours, a federal jury found Samirkumar J. Shah guilty of two counts of health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
June 13, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: South Florida Pill Mill Owner Sentenced to Prison for Role in $2.2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
The owner of a pain clinic and a pharmacy in South Florida was sentenced today to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a $2.2 million Medicare fraud scheme.
June 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Three Physicians and Five Marketers Charged for Violations to Federal Anti-Kickback Statutes
TULSA, Okla. - Three physicians and five marketers have been charged in U.S. District Court with violations of the federal anti-kickback statute and other criminal offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. The men allegedly caused federal health care insurance programs to pay reimbursement costs for fraudulent and expensive compounding drug prescriptions written by recruited doctors in return for kickback payments. The defendants would then use the reimbursed funds for their own financial gain.
June 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Fake Nurse Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud, Social Security Fraud and Aggravated Identity Fraud
St. Louis, MO - Benjamin David Danneman, 37, of Eureka, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for healthcare fraud, social security fraud and aggravated identity fraud. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White.
June 11, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Medical Device Maker ACell Inc. Pleads Guilty and Will Pay $15 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges and Civil False Claims Allegations
ACell Inc. (ACell), a Maryland-based medical device manufacturer, pleaded guilty to charges relating to its MicroMatrix powder wound dressing product (MicroMatrix), the Department of Justice announced today. ACell entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Ellen L. Hollander in the District of Maryland to one misdemeanor count of failure and refusal to report a medical device removal in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). In addition, ACell has agreed to settle allegations that it caused false claims to be submitted to federal health care programs for MicroMatrix, and to pay $15 million to resolve its criminal and civil liability arising from these matters.
June 11 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owners of Los Angeles Home Health Agency Sentenced to Prison for Role in Health Care Fraud that Defrauded Medicare
Two owners and operators of a Los Angeles, California, home health agency were sentenced to 120 and 78 months in prison yesterday for their roles in a scheme to bill Medicare for various items and services, including home health services, diagnostic testing, medical procedures and durable medical equipment that were not medically necessary and/or were not provided.
June 11, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Illinois: Chicago-Area Physical Therapy Center and 4 Nursing Facilities to Pay $9.7 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
CHICAGO - The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago today announced that a Chicago-area physical therapy center and four nursing facilities have agreed to pay $9.7 million to resolve civil allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by providing unnecessary services to increase Medicare payments.
June 7, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Los Angeles Doctor and Patient Recruiter Found Guilty in $33 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found a Los Angeles doctor and patient recruiter guilty today for their roles in a $33 million Medicare fraud scheme in which Medicare was billed for clinic, home health, hospice services and durable medical equipment that patients did not need or did not receive.
June 6, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Los Angeles Dentist Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for Role in $3.8 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Los Angeles, California-based dentist was sentenced to 40 months in prison today for his role in a $3.8 million health care fraud scheme in which he billed numerous dental insurance carriers for crowns and fillings that were never provided to patients.
June 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Florida Doctor Agrees to Pay $911,136.75 to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising from Improper Financial Relationship with Drug Testing Laboratory
PITTSBURGH - Dr. Nathan Hanflink of Mt. Dora, Florida, agreed to pay $911,136.75 to settle allegations that he received improper payments for making referrals to Greensburg, Pennsylvania drug testing lab Universal Oral Fluid Laboratories, and caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare for drug testing services, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
June 5, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: United States Intervenes In False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Drug Maker Mallinckrodt Alleging Illegal Kickbacks
The United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Mallinckrodt ARD LLC, formerly known as Mallinckrodt ARD Inc. and previously Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Department of Justice announced today. The government alleges that Mallinckrodt and Questcor (collectively Mallinckrodt) engaged in conduct that violated the False Claims Act by using a foundation as a conduit to pay kickbacks in connection with its drug H.P. Acthar Gel (Acthar) from 2010 through 2014.
June 5, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Opioid Manufacturer Insys Therapeutics Agrees to Enter $225 Million Global Resolution of Criminal and Civil Investigations
Opioid manufacturer Insys Therapeutics agreed to a global resolution to settle the government's separate criminal and civil investigations, the Department of Justice announced today. As part of the criminal resolution, Insys will enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the government, Insys's operating subsidiary will plead guilty to five counts of mail fraud, and the company will pay a $2 million fine and $28 million in forfeiture. As part of the civil resolution, Insys agreed to pay $195 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act. Both the criminal and civil investigations stemmed from Insys's payment of kickbacks and other unlawful marketing practices in connection with the marketing of Subsys. Insys's drug Subsys is a sublingual fentanyl spray, a powerful, but highly addictive, opioid painkiller. In 2012, Subsys was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of persistent breakthrough pain in adult cancer patients who are already receiving, and tolerant to, around-the-clock opioid therapy.
June 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York: Nassau Pharmacist to Pay $100,000 for Submitting False Claims to Medicare and Medicaid
ALBANY, NEW YORK - United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced today that Cathy Grossman, the owner and pharmacist-in-charge of Nassau Pharmacy, Inc., will pay $100,000 to resolve allegations that she and Nassau Pharmacy violated the federal and New York False Claims Acts by billing the federal and state governments for prescription drugs that Grossman and her staff never dispensed.
June 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Colorado: Fort Lupton Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Oxycodone
DENVER - A Fort Lupton man pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane to distribution and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Steven Hanson. The defendant, Ramon Hernandez, IV, age 35, appeared at the court hearing free on bond. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Kane on September 4, 2019.
June 4, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia: United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against South Carolina Chiropractor, Pain Management Clinics, Urine Drug Testing Laboratories, and Substance Abuse Counseling Center
Columbia, South Carolina --- The United States has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Daniel McCollum, a chiropractor based in Greenville, South Carolina, and pain management clinics and urine drug testing laboratories that McCollum owned or managed for engaging in illegal financial relationships and providing medically unnecessary services and items, including urine drug testing and steroid injections and prescriptions for opioids and lidocaine ointment, the Department of Justice announced today. The entities named as defendants in connection with McCollum's schemes are FirstChoice Healthcare P.C.; Labsource LLC; Oaktree Medical Centre P.C.; Pain Management Associates of the Carolinas LLC; Pain Management Associates of North Carolina P.C.; and ProLab LLC. The United States' complaint also names as a defendant ProCare Counseling Center LLC, a substance abuse counseling center located in Greenville, South Carolina, that the government contends referred medically unnecessary urine drug tests to ProLab, which it co-owned with McCollum.
June 4, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Ohio: North Canton man indicted for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid out $2 million, including allegedly billing for services performed on patients who were already deceased
A North Canton man was indicted for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of approximately $2 million by billing for X-ray services that were not provided by his company, Portable Radiology Services.
June 3, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Rialto Capital Management and Current Owner of Indiana Hospital to Pay $3.6 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Arising From Kickbacks to Referring Physicians
The Department of Justice announced today that Rialto Capital Management LLC (Rialto) and its former affiliate RL BB-IN KRE LLC (RL BB) have agreed to pay $3.6 million to resolve allegations that Rialto and the Kentuckiana Medical Center (KMC), a Clarksville, Indiana-based hospital owned by RL BB, violated the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), the Stark Law, and the False Claims Act by engaging in illegal financial arrangements with two doctors who referred patients to KMC. Until November 2018, RL BB was an affiliate of Rialto, which oversaw management of the hospital.
June 3, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against South Carolina Chiropractor, Pain Management Clinics, Urine Drug Testing Laboratories, and Substance Abuse Counseling Center
The United States has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Daniel McCollum, a chiropractor based in Greenville, South Carolina, and pain management clinics and urine drug testing laboratories that McCollum owned or managed for engaging in illegal financial relationships and providing medically unnecessary services and items, including urine drug testing and steroid injections and prescriptions for opioids and lidocaine ointment, the Department of Justice announced today. The entities named as defendants in connection with McCollum's schemes are FirstChoice Healthcare P.C.; Labsource LLC; Oaktree Medical Centre P.C.; Pain Management Associates of the Carolinas LLC; Pain Management Associates of North Carolina P.C.; and ProLab LLC. The United States' complaint also names as a defendant ProCare Counseling Center LLC, a substance abuse counseling center located in Greenville, South Carolina, that the government contends referred medically unnecessary urine drug tests to ProLab, which it co-owned with McCollum.
June 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Hampshire: Former Physician Assistant Sentenced To 48 Months For Kickback Scheme
Concord - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Christopher Clough, 45, of Dover, New Hampshire was sentenced to 48 months for participating in a scheme in which he received kickbacks in exchange for prescribing a powerful fentanyl spray to patients in violation of federal law.
June 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Delaware: Former Delaware Physician Sentenced To 30 Months Imprisonment For Making A False Statement To A Financial Institution
WILMINGTON, Del. - David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that on Friday, May 31, 2019, District Judge Richard G. Andrews sentenced Zahid Aslam, age 46, of Newark, Delaware, to a 30-month prison sentence for making a false statement to a financial institution. The Court also ordered Aslam to serve three years of supervised release following his sentence.

May 2019

May 31, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Co-Owners of Chicago-Area Home Health Agency Plead Guilty to Kickbacks Conspiracy Charges
Husband and wife co-owners of a Chicago-area home health agency pleaded guilty today for their roles in a scheme to obtain millions of dollars in Medicare reimbursements through the payment of kickbacks for patient referrals.
May 31, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Kansas Hospital Agrees to Pay $250,000 To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister announced today that Coffey Health System has agreed to pay the U.S. government $250,000 to settle claims that it violated the False Claims Act.
May 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Hospitals Agree to Pay $2.8 Million to Settle Allegations of Submitting False Claims to Medicaid
OKLAHOMA CITY - OKLAHOMA HEART HOSPITAL, LLC, AND OKLAHOMA HEART HOSPITAL SOUTH, LLC, have agreed to pay $2,800,000 to settle civil claims stemming from allegations that they submitted false claims to Medicaid, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
May 31, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Two Chicago Women Held Accountable for Falsely Billing 24-7 for Seven Years in $1.7 Million Workers' Compensation Fraud
Two Chicago, Illinois, women pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Program.
May 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Heritage Pharmaceuticals Pays Over $7 Million to Resolve Civil False Claims Act Allegations
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain today announced that generic drug manufacturer Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will pay over $7 million in a civil settlement to resolve allegations of a scheme to fix prices and allocate customers for several of its drugs. The civil resolution of these allegations in the Eastern District is a component of the company's larger resolution with the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division and Civil Division.
May 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Mandeville, Louisiana Neurologist Pleads Guilty for Role in Scheme to Unlawfully Dispense Controlled Substances and to Commit Health Care Fraud
A neurologist from Mandeville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to unlawfully prescribe controlled substances, namely oxycodone and hydrocodone, without performing required face-to-face examinations, and his role in a scheme to commit health care fraud.
May 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Kansas Cardiologist and His Practice Pay $5.8 Million to Resolve Alleged False Billings for Unnecessary Cardiac Procedures
Joseph P. Galichia M.D., a Wichita, Kansas, cardiologist, has agreed to pay $5.8 million to resolve allegations that he and his medical group, Galichia Medical Group, P.A. (GMED), violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing federal health care programs for medically unnecessary cardiac stent procedures, the Department of Justice announced. Galichia also agreed to a three-year period of exclusion from participation in any federal health care program. The settlement relates to a lawsuit in which the United States intervened on Dec. 12, 2014.
May 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Illinois: Former Owner of Chicago Medical Clinic Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Selling Opioid Prescriptions to Patients Who Lacked Medical Need for the Drugs
CHICAGO - The former owner of a Chicago medical clinic was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison for selling opioid prescriptions to patients whom he knew lacked a legitimate medical need for the drugs.
May 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Houston Patient Recruiter Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison for Role in $20 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Houston, Texas patient recruiter was sentenced to 188 months in prison today for her role in a $20 million scheme to pay illegal health care kickbacks to physicians and Medicare beneficiaries in order to fraudulently bill for medically unnecessary home health services, and to launder the proceeds.
May 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Therapy Clinic Operator Convicted of Health Care Fraud for Role in Occupational Therapy Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found a Brea, California, woman guilty yesterday of fraud charges for her role in a $6 million Medicare fraud scheme involving billing for occupational therapy services that were not medically necessary and not actually provided.
May 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Trenton And Delran-Based Doctor Charged With Fraudulently Billing Medicaid And Medicare For Treating Patients While He Was Out Of State
NEWARK, N.J. - A doctor based in Trenton and Delran, New Jersey, was charged today with health care fraud for billing Medicaid and Medicare for in-person services during periods when he was traveling out of state, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
May 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Pharmaceutical Company to Pay $3.5M to Resolve Allegations of Paying Kickbacks to Doctors
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that pharmaceutical company Almirall, LLC, formerly named Aqua Pharmaceuticals, LLC ("Aqua"), will pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it employed illegal kickbacks to incentivize physicians to prescribe Aqua's dermatology pharmaceutical drugs.
May 24, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: North Carolina Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Medicaid Fraud and Tax Evasion Charges
A North Carolina man was sentenced to prison today for health care fraud related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and for tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
May 24, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Home Health Agency and Two of Its Owners
The United States has filed a complaint in intervention against Doctor's Choice Home Care Inc (Doctor's Choice), Timothy Beach, and Stuart Christensen alleging False Claims Act violations arising from the alleged payment of kickbacks in the form of sham medical director agreements and payments to the spouses of referring physicians, the Department of Justice today announced. Doctor's Choice is a home health agency based in Sarasota, Florida. Timothy Beach and Stuart Christensen are partial owners of Doctor's Choice.
May 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada: Nurse Practitioner Sentenced To Over Six Years In Prison For Unlawful Dispensing of Opioids And Health Care Fraud
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A nurse practitioner was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,749,121.29 for unlawfully dispensing prescription opioids and Medicare and Medicaid fraud, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI's Las Vegas Division, and Special Agent in Charge Christian J. Schrank for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Los Angeles Region.
May 21, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: West Virginia Physician Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge
A Morgantown, West Virginia, physician pleaded guilty to obtaining controlled substances by fraudulently writing prescriptions using colleagues' Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) numbers and presenting stolen driver's licenses to pick up fraudulently prescribed controlled substances from Morgantown area pharmacies for his personal use, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Bill Powell of the Northern District of West Virginia.
May 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Arizona: Podiatrist Sentenced to Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme
TUCSON, Ariz. - On May 17, 2019, Loren Wessel, 55, a resident of Tucson, was sentenced by United States District Judge James A. Soto for his role in a Medicare fraud scheme. Wessel had previously pleaded guilty to Health Care Fraud.
May 20, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Michigan Doctor Pleads Guilty to Role in $2.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Southfield, Michigan-based doctor pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme involving approximately $2.5 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health and physician services that were medically unnecessary, not provided and procured through the payment of illegal kickbacks.
May 20, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Virginia Man Sentenced To 19 Months In Prison For Role In Medicare Fraud
TRENTON, N.J. - A Virginia man was sentenced today to 19 months in prison for his role in a scheme that used the purported non-profit The Good Samaritans of America to defraud the Medicare Program of more than $525,000 by convincing hundreds of senior citizens to submit to genetic testing, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
May 17, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Baton Rouge Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulent Billing Scheme
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based doctor was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release today for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare and other health care insurers.
May 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Arizona: Owners of Tucson Home Health Care Business Sentenced to Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme
TUCSON, Ariz. - On May 15, 2019, Stephen Allen Lamont, 61, and Elvia Lorena Lamont, 51, were sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson for their involvement in a Medicare fraud scheme. Lamont previously pled guilty to Health Care Fraud and his wife, Elvia Lamont, previously pled guilty to Misprision of a Felony.
May 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Texas: Texarkana Physician Agrees to Pay $118,000 to Settle Medicare Billing Fraud Allegations
TEXARKANA, Texas - A Texarkana, Texas, physician has agreed to pay $118,000 to settle allegations of improper billing practices for his Medicare patients at his three clinics, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
May 16, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty for His Role in Scheme to Defraud Medicare by Soliciting Kickback Payments for Two New Orleans-Area Physicians
A New Orleans, Louisiana, man pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to solicit the payment of illegal health care kickbacks to several individuals, including two New Orleans-area physicians, for the referring and certifying of individuals for medically unnecessary home health services.
May 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri: Former St. Louis Podiatrist Convicted of Scheme to Defraud Medicare and Medicare Fraud
ST. LOUIS -- Following a four-day trial, Dr. Dawn Rhodes, 43, presently of Atlanta, Georgia, was convicted of eight counts of engaging in a scheme to defraud Medicare and submitting false claims to Medicare. The trial took place before U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Autrey.
May 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Owner of Opioid Addiction Treatment Practice with Offices in Western PA and West Virginia Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution and Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Washington, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of aiding and abetting the unlawful distribution of controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
May 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of New York: Pain Doctor Sentenced For Using Patient Names Fraudulently To Obtain Controlled Substances
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Dr. Paul Biddle, 54, of Amherst, NY, who was convicted of identity theft and possession of unlawful hydromorphone HCL, was sentenced to two years probation by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
May 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Settles Civil Fraud Claims Against Medical Device Distributor For Selling Products Not Approved By The FDA
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jeffrey E. Shuren, M.D., director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), announced today that the U.S. has settled civil fraud claims under the False Claims Act against CAREFUSION CORPORATION ("CAREFUSION"), a medical device distributor based in San Diego, California, for buying and selling medical devices that were not approved or cleared by the FDA. These unapproved and uncleared devices were then used by medical providers in medical procedures, and the providers submitted claims for reimbursement to federal healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, for those procedures.
May 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Somerset County Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison for Role in Medicare Fraud
TRENTON, N.J. - A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for using the purported non-profit The Good Samaritans of America to defraud the Medicare Program of more than $430,000 by convincing hundreds of senior citizens to submit to genetic testing, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Doctor And Physical Therapist Found Guilty Of Participating In $30 Million Scheme To Defraud Medicare And Medicaid
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that medical doctor PAUL J. MATHIEU and physical therapy doctor HATEM BEHIRY were each found guilty of participating in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program. The defendants were convicted following a six-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Virginia: Virginia Doctor Convicted on 861 Federal Counts of Drug Distribution, Including Distribution Resulting in Death: Faces Mandatory Minimum of 20 Years in Federal Prison
Abingdon, VIRGINIA - Joel Smithers, a Martinsville-based doctor, was found guilty today of 861 federal drug charges at the conclusion of a nine-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Hawaii: Oahu Physical Therapist Sentenced To 42 Months For Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
HONOLULU - Garrett Okubo, 52, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was sentenced today to 42 months of imprisonment for committing health care fraud. As part of his sentence, Okubo must pay $3.7 million in restitution, $3.7 million in forfeiture, and must serve three years of supervised release.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina: Carolina Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc. To Pay $790,000 to Resolve False Billing Allegations
COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the United States Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina has resolved claims of health care fraud with Carolina Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc. ("Carolina PT"). Carolina PT was a chain of nine physical therapy practices headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, with practice locations in Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, Sumter, and Mount Pleasant.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Former Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Unlawfully Dispensing Vicodin and Defrauding the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former Pittsburgh radiologist has been sentenced in federal court to two years (24 months) in prison, three years' supervised release, and order to pay a fine of $15,000 and restitution in the amount of $728 on his conviction of unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Liberation Way Doctor Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Dr. Domenick Braccia, 57, of Perkasie, PA entered a plea of guilty before Judge Wendy Beetlestone on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The charges against the defendant stem from federal and state investigations into an elaborate insurance fraud scheme involving a Bucks County-based addiction treatment center, Liberation Way.
May 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia: Jury finds podiatrist guilty of operating pill mill
ATLANTA - Dr. Arnita Avery-Kelly, a licensed podiatrist, has been found guilty on federal charges of illegally prescribing opioid painkillers and other drugs at clinic locations purporting to provide podiatric care in Sandy Springs, and Lithonia, Georgia.
May 8, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: New York Diagnostic Testing Facility Owners Plead Guilty in More than $18.5 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
Two New York diagnostic testing facility owners pleaded guilty today for their roles in a more than $18.5 million health care fraud scheme.
May 8, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to Role in $8.3 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme and Related Money Laundering
A Nigerian man pleaded guilty today for his role in a durable medical equipment (DME) scheme that fraudulently billed more than $8 million dollars to Medicare for DME that was not medically necessary.
May 8, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: South Florida Patient Recruiter Sentenced for Role In $1.6 Million Kickback Scheme
A South Florida patient recruiter was sentenced to 87 months in prison today for her role in a scheme involving approximately $1.6 million in Medicare claims for home health care services that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
May 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Alabama: Ten, including Pharmacy Owners, Pharmacist, and Nurse Practitioner, Charged in Over $200 Million Prescription Drug Fraud
BIRMINGHAM - Ten defendants were charged in a 103-count indictment, including a nurse practitioner, and the owners, a pharmacist, managers, sales representatives, and billers, of a Haleyville, Ala.-based pharmacy, Northside Pharmacy doing business as Global Compounding Pharmacy. The indictment charges them with fraudulently billing health care insurers and prescription drug administrators for over $200 million in prescription drugs. In one listed instance, the defendants' fraudulent conduct caused a prescription plan administrator to pay over $29,000 for one tube of a cream advertised as treating "general wounds."
May 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of West Virginia: United States Attorney Announces $17 Million Healthcare Fraud Settlement
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart, along with Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon, United States Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Justin Schoeman, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and Director Mike Malone, West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), announced that his office has settled healthcare fraud claims against Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. ("Acadia"). Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Acadia will pay $17 million to resolve allegations of a billing scheme that defrauded Medicaid of $8.5 million. The settlement represents the largest healthcare fraud settlement in the history of West Virginia and is twice the actual loss from the scheme. Of the $17 million settlement, nearly $2.2 million will be paid directly to the State of West Virginia.
May 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Tennessee: Decatur Hospital Authority, d/b/a Wise Health System in Decatur, Texas will pay $431,182.96 to the United States for services rendered to patients that were in violation of the Federal False Claims Act
Memphis, TN - Decatur Hospital Authority, d/b/a Wise Health System in Decatur, Texas will pay $431,182.96 to the United States to resolve allegations of billing false claims to Medicare for genetic testing panels for surgical patients that were not medically reasonable or necessary.
May 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Ashland Cardiologist Sentenced to 60 Months for Health Care Fraud and False Statements
COVINGTON, Ky. - Late yesterday, Ashland cardiologist Dr. Richard E. Paulus was sentenced, by U.S. District Court Judge David L. Bunning, to serve 60 months in federal prison for health care fraud and false statements. In October 2016, a federal jury convicted Paulus, 71, of one count of health care fraud and ten counts of making false statements relating to health care matters, after hearing evidence that Paulus defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, by implanting medically unnecessary stents in his patients and falsifying the degree of stenosis in their medical records. After the trial, the district court granted Paulus's motion for an acquittal. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed that decision, on June 25, 2018, and reinstated Dr. Paulus's conviction, resulting in his formal sentencing.
May 3, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: CEO of medical equipment company sentenced to 40 months for Medicare fraud
SAVANNAH, GA: The chief executive officer of a string of Savannah-based durable medical equipment companies was sentenced to more than three years in prison for a scheme that defrauded Medicare out of millions of dollars.
May 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama: Former Chief Executive Officer of Health Care Company Sentenced to Two Years Probation for Theft of Government Property
Montgomery, Alabama - On Thursday, May 2, 2019, William "Ed" Henry, 48, of Hartselle, Alabama, was sentenced to two years' probation for aiding and abetting the theft of government property. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $4,000.00, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.
May 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: Ambulance Owner Sent to Prison for Health Care Fraud
HOUSTON - A 46-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
May 2, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan Doctor Pleads Guilty To Illegally Distributing Oxycodone And Other Drugs
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSEPH OLIVIERI, a physician who practiced in Manhattan, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty to participating in a conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone and other controlled substances. OLIVIERI's co-defendant MATTHEW BRADY pled guilty on April 30, 2019, to his role in the conspiracy.
May 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: Owner of Florida Medical Clinic Sentenced To Prison
WASHINGTON - An owner of a Florida medical clinic was sentenced to serve 91 months in prison today for her role in a $2.5 million health care fraud scheme.

April 2019

April 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Florida Medical Clinic Sentenced to Prison
An owner of a Florida medical clinic was sentenced to serve 91 months in prison today for her role in a $2.5 million health care fraud scheme.
April 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Pharmaceutical Company Agrees to Pay $17.5 Million to Resolve Allegations of Kickbacks to Medicare Patients and Physicians
The Justice Department announced today that US WorldMeds LLC (USWM) has agreed to pay $17.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., by paying kickbacks to patients and physicians to improperly induce prescriptions of its drugs, Apokyn® and Myobloc®. USWM is a pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
April 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Former CEO of Hospital Chain to Pay $3.46 Million to Resolve False Billing and Kickback Allegations
Gary D. Newsome, former CEO of Health Management Associates LLC (HMA), a hospital chain that was headquartered in Naples, Florida, has agreed to pay the United States $3.46 million to settle allegations that he caused HMA to knowingly submit false claims to government health care programs by admitting patients who could have been treated on a less costly, outpatient basis, the Department of Justice announced. The settlement also resolves allegations that Newsome caused HMA to pay remuneration to Emergency Department (ED) physicians in return for referrals.
April 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: Operator of McAllen Area DME Company Sentenced for Health Care Fraud
McALLEN, Texas - The owner of a durable medical equipment (DME) company has been ordered to federal prison for defrauding Medicaid of more than $3 million, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Anna Ramirez-Ambriz, 57, of McAllen, pleaded guilty March 31, 2017.
April 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia: West Virginia physician found guilty of illegally distributing drugs
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Dr. George P. Naum, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was found guilty today of illegally distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
April 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Two Pharmaceutical Companies Agree to Pay a Total of Nearly $125 Million to Resolve Allegations That They Paid Kickbacks Through Copay Assistance Foundations
The Department of Justice announced today that two more pharmaceutical companies - Astellas Pharma US Inc. (Astellas) and Amgen Inc. (Amgen) - have agreed to pay a total of $124.75 million to resolve allegations that they each violated the False Claims Act by illegally paying the Medicare copays for their own products, through purportedly independent foundations that the companies used as mere conduits.
April 24, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Tennessee: Two Former Arriva Medical Executives Agree To Pay $1 Million To Settle Diabetic Testing Supply Fraud Allegations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - April 24, 2019 - David Wallace of Boca Raton, Florida and Timothy Stocksdale, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, two former executives of Arriva Medical, LLC (Arriva), agreed to pay $500,000 each to settle the United States' allegations that they had violated the False Claims Act, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
April 22, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Michigan Home Health Agency Owner Sentenced to Prison for $8.3 Million Medicare Fraud
A Michigan home health agency owner was sentenced to 84 months in prison today for his role in an $8.3 million scheme to defraud Medicare.
April 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: Stuart Physician Sentenced to Prison After Having Been Convicted at Trial of Health Care Fraud
Yesterday, a doctor who previously worked in Stuart, Florida, was sentenced to prison after having been convicted by a federal jury of committing repeated acts of health care fraud.
April 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada: Former Medical Doctor And His Business Partner Sentenced To Nearly Three Years In Prison For $7.1 Million Medicare Health Care Fraud Scheme
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A former medical doctor and his business partner were sentenced Tuesday to 33 months in prison for their individual roles in a $7.1 million Medicare health care fraud scheme that occurred at three Las Vegas hospice and home healthcare agencies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
April 17, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force Takedown Results in Charges Against 60 Individuals, Including 53 Medical Professionals
Charges Involve Over 350 Thousand Prescriptions for Controlled Substances and Over 32 Million Pills; ARPO Strike Force Grows to 10 Districts, Expanding to Include the Western District of Virginia
Attorney General William P. Barr and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar II, together with multiple law enforcement partners, today announced enforcement actions involving 60 charged defendants across 11 federal districts, including 31 doctors, seven pharmacists, eight nurse practitioners, and seven other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distributing of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes. In addition, HHS announced today that since June 2018, it has excluded over 2,000 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs, which includes more than 650 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse. Since July 2017, DEA has issued 31 immediate suspension orders, 129 orders to show cause, and received 1,386 surrenders for cause nationwide for violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
April 17, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan: Livonia Doctor Sentenced to More Than Twelve Years for Conspiring With Others to Illegally Distribute Prescription Drugs
Dr. Zongli Chang, M.D., was ordered today to serve a sentence of 135 months for conspiring with seven other patient recruiters (co-defendants in this case) to illegally distribute prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.
April 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Pennsylvania: Marysville Woman Guilty Of Distribution Of A Controlled Substance And False Statements In Health Care Matters
HARRISBURG-The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Belinda Dietrich, age 62, of Marysville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on April 15, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to one count of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and one count of false statements in health care matters.
April 16, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Central District of California: Two Brothers Plead Guilty in Conspiracy to Distribute Opioids Through Sham Medical Clinics and Corrupt Doctors
LOS ANGELES - Two San Fernando Valley brothers have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges, admitting that they conspired to distribute powerful narcotics such as hydrocodone and oxycodone via sham medical clinics that hired corrupt doctors who wrote fraudulent prescriptions to black market customers.
April 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York: Former Most Wanted Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Etienne Allonce, the former co-owner of Medical Solutions Management, Inc. (MSM), a medical equipment company in Hicksville, New York, pleaded guilty to health care fraud. In September 2018, Allonce was expelled from Haiti where he had fled 11 years earlier following the filing of an indictment in the Eastern District of New York charging him with billing Medicare and Medicaid for medical supplies never delivered to patients and never ordered by MSM. Prior to his return to the United States, Allonce was placed on the Most Wanted List of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Allonce pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco.
April 12, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Medicare Advantage Provider to Pay $30 Million to Settle Alleged Overpayment of Medicare Advantage Funds
Sutter Health LLC, a California-based healthcare services provider, and several affiliated entities, Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, and Sutter Medical Foundation, have agreed to pay $30 million to resolve allegations that the affiliated entities submitted inaccurate information about the health status of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans, which resulted in the plans and providers being overpaid, the Justice Department announced today. Sutter Health is headquartered in Sacramento, California.
April 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Two Defendants Sentenced in Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Two residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
April 11, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio: Jury Convicts Hamilton Physician of Illegal Distribution of Opioids
CINCINNATI - A U.S. District Court jury convicted Dr. Saad Sakkal, 71, of illegally distributing and dispensing controlled substances that led to the death of one victim in 2016. Sakkal was practicing at Lindenwald Medical Association, Inc. in Hamilton.
April 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Cheshire Social Worker Pays $145,855 to Settle False Claims Allegations
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PATRICIA McALINDEN, LCSW, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and will pay more than $145,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
April 10, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina: South Carolina U.S. Attorney Announces Operation Dismantling One of the Largest Medicare Fraud Schemes in History
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today one of the largest health care fraud schemes in the history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID). The announcement was made at a press conference at Palmetto GBA in Columbia, South Carolina, a Medicare administration contractor whose payment safeguarding services seek to eliminate Medicare abuse, fraud, and waste.
April 9, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Federal Indictments & Law Enforcement Actions in One of the Largest Health Care Fraud Schemes Involving Telemedicine and Durable Medical Equipment Marketing Executives Results in Charges Against 24 Individuals Responsible for Over $1.2 Billion in Losses
One of the largest health care fraud schemes investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice resulted in charges against 24 defendants, including the CEOs, COOs and others associated with five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $1.2 billion in loss, as well as the execution of over 80 search warrants in 17 federal districts. In addition, the Center for Medicare Services, Center for Program Integrity (CMS/CPI) announced today that it took adverse administrative action against 130 DME companies that had submitted over $1.7 billion in claims and were paid over $900 million.
April 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan: Pharmacy Owner and Pharmacist Charged in a Scheme to Bill Insurance for Medications Not Dispensed
An indictment was unsealed today charging Mohamad Ali Makki, R.Ph. and Wansa Nabi Makki with multiple health care fraud offenses, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today. At the same time, related criminal complaints were unsealed charging Mamoud Makki and Hossam Tanana (husband of Wansa Makki) of laundering some of the proceeds of the health care fraud scheme.
April 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Virginia: Company Allegedly Lied to Doctors and Public Health Care Benefit Programs About the Safety and Diversion Risks of Suboxone Film
WASHINGTON - A federal grand jury sitting in Abingdon, Virginia, has indicted Indivior Inc. (formerly known as Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.) and Indivior PLC (Indivior) for engaging in an illicit nationwide scheme to increase prescriptions of Suboxone Film, an opioid drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction, the Department of Justice announced.
April 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Virginia: Indivior Inc. Indicted for Fraudulently Marketing Prescription Opioid
WASHINGTON - A federal grand jury sitting in Abingdon, Virginia, has indicted Indivior Inc. (formerly known as Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.) and Indivior PLC (Indivior) for engaging in an illicit nationwide scheme to increase prescriptions of Suboxone Film, an opioid drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction, the Department of Justice announced.
April 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Texas: Owner of Guadalupe County Telemedicine Companies Arrested in National Health Care Fraud Takedown
This morning, federal authorities arrested 54-year-old Christopher O'Hara, of Kingsbury, TX, without incident in connection with Health Care Fraud, bribery and kickback scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter, Dallas Field Office.
April 9, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey: Seven People Charged In New Jersey Massive Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Telemedicine And Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
NEWARK, N.J. - One of the largest health care fraud schemes investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice resulted in charges against 24 defendants - seven of whom were charged in the District of New Jersey - including the CEOs, COOs and others associated with five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $1.2 billion in loss, as well as the execution of over 80 search warrants in 17 federal districts. In addition, the Center for Medicare Services, Center for Program Integrity (CMS/CPI) announced today that it took adverse administrative action against 130 DME companies that had submitted over $1.7 billion in claims and were paid over $900 million.
April 5, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: South Florida Health Care Facility Owner Convicted for Role in Largest Health Care Fraud Scheme Ever Charged by The Department of Justice, Involving $1.3 Billion in Fraudulent Claims
A federal jury found a South Florida health care facility owner guilty today for his role in the largest health care fraud scheme ever charged by the Justice Department, involving over $1.3 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not provided, were not medically necessary or were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
April 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Two Tulsa Doctors Settle with the U.S. Government for Allegedly Engaging in Illegal Kickback Schemes
TULSA, Okla. - Two more Tulsa doctors have entered into settlement agreements with the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly accepting illegal kickback payments from OK Compounding, LLC, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
April 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Unlicensed Dentist Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison For Healthcare Fraud, Conspiracy To Commit Healthcare Fraud, And Conspiracy To Violate The Anti-Kickback Statute
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that LUIS OMAR VARGAS, an unlicensed dentist, was sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding health insurance companies by billing for false claims, billing for claims performed by him as an unlicensed provider, and for conspiring to pay kickbacks to his patients. VARGAS was convicted after two-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed today's sentence.
April 4, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Three Pharmaceutical Companies Agree to Pay a Total of Over $122 Million to Resolve Allegations That They Paid Kickbacks Through Co-Pay Assistance Foundations
The Department of Justice today announced that three pharmaceutical companies - Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Jazz), Lundbeck LLC (Lundbeck), and Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Alexion) - have agreed to pay a total of $122.6 million to resolve allegations that they each violated the False Claims Act by illegally paying the Medicare or Civilian Health and Medical Program (ChampVA) copays for their own products, through purportedly independent foundations that the companies used as mere conduits.
April 4, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Former CEO of Tennessee Pain Management Company Convicted for Role in Approximate $4 Million Medicare Kickback Scheme
A federal jury sitting in Nashville, Tennessee found the former CEO of a Tennessee pain management company guilty today for his role in an illegal kickback scheme involving approximately $4 million in tainted durable medical equipment (DME) claims to Medicare.
April 4, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Former Administrator of Two Houston Home Health Companies Sentenced to Prison in $20 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
The former Director of Nursing and Administration of two Houston, Texas-based businesses was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for her role in a $20 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false and fraudulent claims for home health services.
April 4, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Lee County Ambulance Service and its Director Agree to Pay $253,930 to Resolve Allegations of False Claims to Medicare
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Lee County Fiscal Court ("Lee County") and the former director of its ambulance service, Joseph Broadwell, have agreed to resolve civil allegations that Lee County Ambulance violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims, agreeing to pay $253,930 to the federal government.
April 2, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Dallas-Area Home Health Care Employee Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for His Role in a $3.7 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Collin County, Texas man was sentenced to 60 months in prison today following his trial conviction for conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
April 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Oklahoma: Indictment Unsealed Charging Mangum Pharmacist with Over $1 Million in Health Care Fraud
OKLAHOMA CITY - A federal indictment has been unsealed charging JEFFREY SCOTT TERRY, 37, of Mangum, Oklahoma, with forty counts of using his pharmacy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester and Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter.

March 2019

March 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: CareWell Urgent Care Center Agrees to Pay $2 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Billing of Government Health Care Programs
BOSTON - The United States Attorney's Office announced today that CareWell Urgent Care Centers of MA, P.C., CareWell Urgent Care of Rhode Island, P.C., and Urgent Care Centers of New England Inc. (CareWell), the owners and operators of urgent care centers located throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting inflated and upcoded claims to Medicare, Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth), the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC), and Rhode Island Medicaid.
March 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Wisconsin: Acacia Mental Health Clinic, LLC and Its Owner, Abraham Freund, Agree to Pay Over $4 million in Cash and Other Compensation to Settle the Government's False Claims Act Lawsuit
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that Acacia Mental Health Clinic, LLC ("Acacia") and its owner, Abraham Freund, have agreed to pay approximately $4.1 million in cash and other compensation to the United States and the State of Wisconsin. The payments will be made to settle the government's lawsuit alleging that Acacia and Freund violated the False Claims Act by submitting thousands of false claims to Medicaid for urine drug tests and telemedicine services. Acacia and Abraham Freund also agreed to 20-year suspensions from participation in federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; Abraham Freund's son, Isaac Freund, agreed to a 5-year suspension.
March 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of North Carolina: Medicaid Fraud Provider Plea
RALEIGH - Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced that in federal court, United States Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. accepted a guilty plea in a health care fraud matter.
March 28, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Chicago Home Health Company Owner Convicted for Role in $3 Million Kickback Scheme
A federal jury found the owner of a now-defunct Chicago, Illinois home health company guilty today for her role in a scheme involving over $3 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for home health services that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
March 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: Former CFO of New Haven Biotech Firm Who Embezzled $1 Million Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS MALONE, 49, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling approximately $1 million from a New Haven biotech company that receives federal research grants.
March 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Minnesota: Otsego Home Health Care Company To Pay More Than $700,000 To Resolve False Claims Act Liability
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that Accurate Home Care, LLC ("Accurate Home Care"), a home health care company headquartered in Otsego, Minnesota, has agreed to pay $726,957.59 to resolve federal False Claims Act violations arising from the unlawful submission of claims for payment to Minnesota Medicaid, a jointly funded federal and state health care program.
March 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: United States Files Lawsuit Against West Virginia Hospital, Its Management Company, and Its CEO Based on Kickbacks and Other Improper Payments to Physicians
The United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Wheeling Hospital Inc., R & V Associates Ltd. (R & V), and Ronald Violi in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Department of Justice announced today. The government alleges that Wheeling Hospital, which is located in Wheeling, West Virginia, violated the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute, and that those violations were caused by R & V, Wheeling's contracted management consultant, and Violi, Wheeling's CEO.
March 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Duke University Agrees to Pay U.S. $112.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Scientific Research Misconduct
Duke University has agreed to pay the government $112.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting applications and progress reports that contained falsified research on federal grants to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Justice Department announced today.
March 21, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: MedStar Health to Pay U.S. $35 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Paid Kickbacks to a Cardiology Group in Exchange for Referrals
MedStar Health Inc. (MedStar) in Columbia, Maryland., MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, both in Baltimore, have agreed to pay the United States $35 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it paid kickbacks to MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Associates (MACVA), a cardiology group based in Pikesville, Maryland, in exchange for referrals, through a series of professional services contracts at Union Memorial and Franklin Square Hospitals in Baltimore.
March 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Wisconsin: University to Pay $1.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, acting through the University of Wisconsin-Madison ("University"), agreed to pay $1.5 million to the United States to settle the claims that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to properly account for rebates and credits to reduce costs allocable to federal grants and awards ("Federal Awards").
March 20, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: RGV Man Sentenced for Medicare Fraud Scheme
McALLEN, Texas - A former account representative for a toxicology testing company has been ordered to prison in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
March 20, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Dubois-area Doctor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
JOHNSTOWN, PA - A resident of DuBois, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
March 19, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Florida Pharmacist Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for $100 Million Compounding Pharmacy Fraud Scheme Eight Others Previously Sentenced
A Florida pharmacist was sentenced to 120 months in prison today followed by three years supervised release. He was also orderd to pay $3.2 million in restitution and $1.4 million in forfeiture for his role in a massive compounding pharmacy fraud scheme, which impacted private insurance companies, Medicare and TRICARE. Eight other individuals have previously been sentenced in connection with the scheme. Various real properties, cars and a 50-foot boat have been forfeited as part of the sentencings.
March 19, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Louisiana-Based Licensed Clinical Social Worker Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud Scheme
A Louisiana-based licensed clinical social worker pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicaid.
March 18, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland: Maryland Law Firm Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, P.A., Agrees to Pay the United States $250,000 to Settle Claims that it Did Not Reimburse Medicare for Payments Made on Behalf of a Firm Client
Baltimore, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur announced that Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, P.A., a law firm with offices in Riverdale Park and Gaithersburg, has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve allegations that it failed to reimburse the United States for certain Medicare payments made to medical providers on behalf of a firm client.
March 15, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut: New London Psychiatrist and Mental Health Clinic Pay over $3.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
United States Attorney John H. Durham, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that DR. BASSAM AWWA and his medical practice, CONNECTICUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES, P.C. ("CBHA") have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $3,382,004 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
March 14, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Haverhill Nurse Charged with Drug Tampering
BOSTON - A Haverhill licensed practical nurse was charged on March 12, 2019, in federal court in Boston with drug tampering.
March 13, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Creator of Fraudulent Chicago-Area Pharmacy Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for $1.6 Million Fraud Scheme
The creator of a fraudulent Chicago-area pharmacy has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his role in a $1.6 million health care fraud scheme.
March 13, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Philadelphia-Area Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Oxycodone
A Philadelphia-area doctor pleaded guilty today to illegal distribution of oxycodone.
March 13, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Owner of Washington, D.C.-Based Durable Medical Equipment Company Sentenced to Prison for Role in $9.8 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme
The owner of a Washington, D.C.-based durable medical equipment company was sentenced to 42 months in prison today for her role in a scheme to submit $9.8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicaid.
March 12, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Bradenton Woman Sentenced For Theft Of Government Funds
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Roselle Fitzgerald to 21 months in federal prison for theft of government funds and counterfeit or forged securities. As part of her sentence, the court entered a money judgment of $185,731.71, the proceeds of the theft of criminal conduct, and ordered Fitzgerald to pay restitution.
March 11, 2019; U.S Department of Justice: Covidien to Pay Over $17 Million to The United States for Allegedly Providing Illegal Remuneration in the Form of Practice and Market Development Support to Physicians
Covidien LP has agreed to pay $17,477,947 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by providing free or discounted practice development and market development support to physicians located in California and Florida to induce purchases of Covidien's vein ablation products, the Department of Justice announced today.
March 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: Houston Woman Sentenced for Conspiring to Commit $50 Million Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering
HOUSTON - A 36-year-old Houston woman has been ordered to pay more than $15 million in restitution following her conviction of conspiring to commit $50 million health care fraud as well laundering money, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A jury convicted Daniela Gozes-Wagner in September 2017.
March 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland: Federal Indictment Adds Second Defendant Charged With Witness Retaliation and Tampering Resulting in the Death of a Baltimore Woman
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury in Baltimore, Maryland returned a 10-count superseding indictment charging Davon Carter, age 39, and Clifton Mosley, age 41, both of Baltimore, Maryland, with two counts of conspiracy to murder a witness and one count each of witness retaliation murder and witness tampering murder, related to the murder of Latrina Ashburne, age 41, on May 27, 2016.
March 1, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: North Carolina Mental Health Company Owner Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison on Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion Charges
The owner of a North Carolina mental health company was sentenced to prison today for the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.

February 2019

February 27, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Florida Home Health Services Company Owner and Co-Conspirator Sentenced to Prison for Role in $8.6 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A home health services company owner and a co-conspirator, both Miami, Florida residents, were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a $8.6 million health care fraud scheme.
February 27, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Vanguard Healthcare Agrees to Resolve Federal and State False Claims Act Liability
The Department of Justice announced today that Brentwood, Tennessee-based Vanguard Healthcare LLC, and related Vanguard companies (Vanguard) agreed to pay more than $18 million in allowed claims to resolve a lawsuit brought by the United States and the State of Tennessee against them for billing the Medicare and Medicaid programs for grossly substandard nursing home services. Vanguard Healthcare and several related Vanguard companies that have reorganized in bankruptcy agreed to pay more than $5.1 million towards the settlement, and two Vanguard entities that are liquidating in bankruptcy have agreed to $13.5 million in allowed claims in bankruptcy. The settlement agreement also resolves claims brought by the United States against Vanguard's majority owner and CEO, William Orand, and Vanguard's former director of operations, Mark Miller, who agree to pay $250,000 as part of this settlement.
February 27, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio: Columbus Couple Agree to Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme that Targeted City Employees, First Responders, Military Health Benefit Provider
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A Columbus couple have agreed to plead guilty to charges related to a health-care fraud scheme that involved compound creams prescribed to city employees and first responders.
February 26, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Medford Woman Sentenced For Social Security, Medicare, MassHealth And SNAP Benefit Fraud
BOSTON - A Medford woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, Medicare, MassHealth and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
February 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Southern California Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Prison for Her Role in Health Care and Wire Fraud Scheme
A Southern California pharmacy owner was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for her role in a Medicare fraud scheme involving more than $1.5 million in fraudulent claims for prescription drugs.
February 25, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Skyline Urology to Pay $1.85 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations of Medicare Overbilling
Skyline Urology has agreed to pay the United States $1.85 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting improper claims to the Medicare program for evaluation and management services, the Department of Justice announced today.
February 25, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: North Carolina Marketer Agrees to Pay $414,108.08 for Allegedly Engaging in Illegal Kickback Scheme with OK Compounding
David Tsui and Wellcare Consulting, LLC, a North Carolina marketing company, have agreed to pay the government $414,108.08 for allegedly accepting illegal kickback payments from OK Compounding, LLC, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
February 25, 2019; Nevada Attorney General: Attorney General Ford Announces Sentencing of Las Vegas Medicaid Provider Cory Ron Bieniemy
Las Vegas, NV - Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Cory Ron Bieniemy, 47, of Las Vegas, was sentenced in a Medicaid fraud case involving false billing for medical services to Medicaid recipients. The fraud occurred between January 2015 and October 2016.
February 22, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: South Florida Patient Recruiter Convicted For Role In $600,000 Health Care Kickback Scheme
A federal jury found a South Florida patient recruiter guilty today for her role in a scheme involving approximately $600,000 in Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.
February 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Doctor Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of Nine Counts In Connection With Oxycodone And Fentanyl Diversion Scheme
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction yesterday of ERNESTO LOPEZ, a New York-licensed medical doctor who wrote thousands of medically unnecessary prescriptions for oxycodone and fentanyl over an approximately three-year period, following an eight-day trial before the Honorable Denise L. Cote. LOPEZ was remanded into custody following his conviction. Audra Baker, a medical assistant who worked in one of LOPEZ's medical offices, and who was tried with LOPEZ, was acquitted of all charges against her.
February 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: Three South Florida Residents Arrested on Federal Healthcare Fraud Charges
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office and Shimon R. Richmond, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Miami Regional Office, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), announced that Jose Antonio Mesa Sixto, 53, of Miami, Llunaisy Acanda, 41, of Miami Gardens, and Ania Hans, 41, of Miami, were arrested on charges relating to healthcare fraud and payment and receipt of healthcare kickbacks.
February 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Missouri: Jury Convicts Former Dental Clinic Owners of $1 Million Health Care, Payroll Tax Fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced today that a Marshfield, Mo., couple has been convicted by a federal trial jury of multiple fraud schemes totaling more than $1 million that involved Medicaid payments to their dental clinics, failing to pay over payroll taxes and collecting unemployment benefits they were not entitled to receive.
February 21, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Newton Physician to Pay $680,000 to Resolve Allegations of Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
BOSTON - The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that Dr. Hooshang Poor, a Newton geriatric medicine physician, has agreed to pay $680,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by submitting inflated claims to Medicare and the Massachusetts Medicaid program (MassHealth) for care rendered to nursing home patients.
February 20, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Miami Medical Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Miami, Florida-area medical clinic owner pleaded guilty today for her role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting fraudulent billings from the clinic and by supplying patients to three home health agencies that submitted fraudulent bills for home health services.
February 19, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: United States Joins False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Arriva Medical LLC and Alere Inc.
The United States has intervened in a False Claims Act case alleging that Arriva Medical LLC (Arriva) and its parent Alere Inc. (Alere) submitted or caused false claims to the Medicare program for medically unnecessary glucometers and paid kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries in the form of free glucometers and copayment waivers, the Justice Department announced today. Additionally, the government has informed the court that it is adding Ted Albin, a reimbursement consultant for Arriva, as an additional defendant in the action.
February 19, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Tulsa Doctor Will Pay $84,666 for Allegedly Engaging in an Illegal Kickback Scheme
TULSA, Okla. -A Tulsa doctor has agreed to pay the government $84,666.42 for allegedly accepting illegal kickback payments from OK Compounding, LLC, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
February 19, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: Stuart Physician Convicted of 23 Counts of Health Care Fraud
On February 19, 2019, a doctor who previously worked in Stuart, Florida, was convicted by a federal jury of committing repeated acts of health care fraud.
February 15, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Michigan Patient Recruiter Pleads Guilty in $1.2 Million Kickback Scheme
A Michigan woman pleaded guilty today for her role as a patient recruiter in a scheme involving approximately $1.2 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care procured through the payment of kickbacks.
February 14, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Florida Compounding Pharmacy and Its Owners to Pay at Least $775,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
The Department of Justice announced today that Vital Life Institute LLC (formerly known as AgeVital Pharmacy LLC), located in Sarasota, Florida, and owners Jenny and William Wilkins have agreed to pay at least $775,000 to resolve claims that they violated the False Claims Act by engaging in an illegal kickback scheme to induce the referral of compounded drug prescriptions for TRICARE and Medicare beneficiaries. AgeVital and the Wilkinses have agreed to pay additional amounts in the event certain contingencies are triggered.
February 14, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Baton Rouge Doctor and His Medical Billing Supervisor Plead Guilty to Fraudulent Billing Scheme
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based doctor pleaded guilty yesterday and his medical billing supervisor pleaded guilty today for their roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare and other health care insurers.
February 14, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Prime Healthcare Services and CEO, Dr. Prem Reddy, to Pay $1.25 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Prime Healthcare Services, Inc. ("Prime") and Prime's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Prem Reddy, have agreed to pay the United States $1.25 million to settle allegations that two Prime hospitals in Pennsylvania - Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia and Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol - knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by engaging in the following conduct: (1) admitting patients to the hospital for overnight stays who required only less costly, outpatient care and (2) billing for more expensive patient diagnoses than the patients had (the latter practice known as "up-coding").
February 13, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Virginia: Former Blacksburg Doctor Sentenced on Federal Drug Charges
Roanoke, VIRGINIA - The former owner of the Virginia Vein Institute in Blacksburg was sentenced yesterday to 20 months in federal prison resulting from his conviction on nearly 70 federal drug charges for illegally obtaining 3,200 oxycodone pills, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and the Virginia Attorney General's Office announced.
February 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Mississippi: Laurel-Based Physicians Group and Neurologist Agree to Pay Almost One Million Dollars to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Settlement Stems from Alleged Medicare Overpayments to Doctors
Jackson, Miss. - Jefferson Medical Associates, a now dissolved, multi-specialty medical practice group in Laurel, and Dr. Aremmia Tanious, have agreed to pay the United States $817,635.06 to resolve claims under the False Claims Act arising from Medicare overpayments to Jefferson Medical Associates and Dr. Tanious, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
February 12, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York: Owner of North Country Medical Transportation Company Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud, Paying Kickbacks
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Arshad Nazir, age 54, of Ticonderoga, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to defraud Medicaid, and conspiring to pay bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries who used his medical transportation service. He admitted to causing at least $550,000 in losses, and to paying at least $95,000 in bribes and kickbacks.
February 11, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Genetic Testing Company Agrees to Pay $1.99 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Claims to Medicare for Medically Unnecessary Tests
The Justice Department announced today that GenomeDx Biosciences Corp. (GenomeDx) has agreed to pay $1.99 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. �� 3729 et seq., by submitting claims to Medicare for the Decipher® post-operative genetic test for prostate cancer patients. GenomeDx is a genetic testing laboratory headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations based in San Diego.
February 11, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky: Williamsburg Pharmacist Convicted of Unlawful Drug Distribution
LONDON, Ky. - Kimberly Jones, a Williamsburg pharmacist, was convicted last week, by a federal jury sitting in London, on seven counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances.
February 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma: Marketer Agrees to Pay Nearly $340,000 for Allegedly Engaging in an Illegal Kickback Scheme with OK Compounding
TULSA, Okla. - James Paul Adams, 35, of Cypress, Texas, also known as Beau Adams, owner of the Texas marketing company One Source Healthcare Organization, LLC, agreed to pay the government $339,412.50 for allegedly accepting illegal kickback payments from OK Compounding, LLC, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
February 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Dunedin Psychologist Pleads Guilty To Obstruction Of A Medicare Audit
Tampa, Florida - Dr. Charles Gerardi (76, Dunedin) has pleaded guilty to obstructing a Medicare audit. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
February 8, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina: Sumter Women Convicted of Healthcare Fraud for Over-Charging Government by Millions of Dollars
Columbia, SC - United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Angela Breitweiser Keith, age 53, and Ann Davis Eldridge, age 58, both of Sumter, South Carolina, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of false statements to defraud Medicaid.
February 7, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida: Two South Florida Doctors Arrested on Charges of Unlawfully Dispensing Opioids
Two South Florida doctors were arrested on charges related to the unlawful dispensing of opioids.
February 6, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Electronic Health Records Vendor to Pay $57.25 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Greenway Health LLC (Greenway), a Tampa, Florida-based developer of electronic health records (EHR) software, will pay $57.25 million to resolve allegations in a complaint filed by the United States under the False Claims Act alleging that Greenway caused its users to submit false claims to the government by misrepresenting the capabilities of its EHR product "Prime Suite" and providing unlawful remuneration to users to induce them to recommend Prime Suite, the Justice Department announced today.
February 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts: Physician Sentenced to Prison for False Billing Scheme
BOSTON - A physician at the now-defunct New England Pain Management Associates Inc. was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for conspiring to falsify patient medical records in order to obtain payments from Medicare and commercial insurers for medical services that were not performed.
February 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Suspended Nurse Practitioner Indicted for Illegal Prescriptions
PITTSBURGH, PA - A suspended nurse practitioner has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of dispensing and distributing controlled substances and conspiring to distribute and dispense controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
February 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Johnstown Opioid Treatment Center Owner Indicted For Unlawfully Dispensing Controlled Substances, Money Laundering
PITTSBURGH, PA. - The owner and operator of SKS Associates, Inc. (SKS) has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances, using or maintaining a drug involved premises, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
February 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Fourteen Individuals Charged for Operating "Pill Mills" and Illegally Prescribing Drugs to Hundreds of Patients in Multiple Locations in the Philadelphia Area
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced two indictments charging 14 people with a multitude of crimes, including conspiracy to dispense and distribute controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose; distribution of oxycodone; health care fraud; and maintaining a drug-involved premises. These charges are the result of coordinated law enforcement effort across multiple federal, state, and local agencies. U.S. Attorney McSwain announced these charges as part of a press conference held today to highlight the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's recent efforts to combat the opioid crisis in the District.
February 6, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia: Union General Hospital to pay $5 million to resolve alleged False Claims Act violations
ATLANTA - Union General Hospital ("UGH"), located in Blairsville, Georgia, has agreed to pay $5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians.
February 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Pennsylvania: York Man Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nagy Mohamed Abdelhamed, age 68, of York, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones to health care fraud for his fraudulent receipt of Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamp) benefits.
February 5, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Clermont Eye Doctors Agree To Pay Over $157,000 To Settle False Claims Act Liability For Improperly Billing Medicare
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces today that Dr. Craig D. Fishman and Dr. Jeffrey A. Sheridan have agreed to pay the United States a combined total of $157,312.32 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing the government for mutually exclusive eyelid repair surgeries. Dr. Fishman and Dr. Sheridan are ophthalmologists who operate Fishman & Sheridan Eye Care Specialists.
February 4, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Pentec Health, Inc. to Pay $17 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Pentec Health, Inc. ("Pentec") has agreed to pay the United States $17 million to settle allegations that Pentec submitted false claims to Medicare and other government healthcare programs.
February 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; District of Arizona: Youth Care Worker Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Unaccompanied Minors in Southwest Key Facility
PHOENIX - On Jan. 14, 2019, Levian D. Pacheco, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 19 years' imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release. Pacheco was previously convicted by a federal jury of seven counts of abusive sexual contact with a ward and three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. The statutory maximum sentence for sexual abuse of a ward is 15 years in prison and the statutory maximum for abusive sexual contact with a ward is 2 years in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Logan ordered several of Pacheco's counts to run consecutively.
February 1, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio: Columbus Home Health Care Provider Sentenced for Fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The co-owner of Alpha Star Health Care Inc. was sentenced today in federal court to 18 months in prison for running home health care fraud and tax fraud schemes.

January 2019

January 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania: Criminal Complaint Filed Against Suspended Nurse Practitioner for Illegal Prescriptions
PITTSBURGH - Larry J. Goissie, Jr., 34, of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegal distribution of Schedule II controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
January 31, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas: UT Health Science Center Pays More than $2.3 Million to Resolve Allegations
HOUSTON - The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) at Houston has paid $2,396,769.76 to resolve allegations that its Human Genetics Center misappropriated grant funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provided for research related to the impact of genomic variation on individual health and the health of families and populations, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A component of UTHealth, UTHSCH is one of the largest research institutions in the United States.
January 30, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Pathology Laboratory Agrees to Pay $63.5 Million for Providing Illegal Inducements to Referring Physicians
Pathology laboratory company Inform Diagnostics has agreed to pay $63.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced today. Inform Diagnostics, formerly known as Miraca Life Sciences Inc., is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and was a subsidiary of Miraca Holdings Inc., a Japanese company, during the period relevant to the case. In 2017, majority ownership of the company changed, and the company was renamed.
January 30, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Clearwater Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Health Care Fraud
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr. today sentenced Jayam Krishna Iyer (66, Clearwater) to six months in federal prison for committing health care fraud, ordered Iyer to forfeit over $52,000 in health care fraud proceeds, and order her to pay restitution to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
January 29, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Two South Texas Doctors Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Separate Multi-Million Dollar Medicare Fraud Schemes
Two Houston, Texas physicians were sentenced to 25 and three-year prison terms for their roles in separate schemes to defraud Medicare out of payments for medical services.
January 29, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Tennessee: WellBound of Memphis will pay $3,246,000 to the United States and the State of Tennessee for services rendered to patients at its Memphis facility that were in violation of the Anti-Kickback statute
Memphis, TN - WellBound of Memphis will pay $3,246,000 to the United States and the State of Tennessee to resolve allegations of false claims to Medicare, Tricare and Tenncare for services rendered to home dialysis patients at its Memphis facility. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced today.
January 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida: Orlando Skilled Nursing Facility, Physician, And Related Providers Agree To Pay $1.5 Million To Resolve Allegations Of Illegal Kickback And Patient Referral Scheme
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that on January 9, 2019, Conway Lakes NC, LLC; its former Administrator, Matthew File; its management company, Clear Choice Health Care, LLC; Clear Choice's part-owner and President, Jeffrey Cleveland; Clear Choice's part-owner and Senior Vice President, Geoffrey Fraser; and an Orlando-area orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Krumins, agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that they engaged in a kickback scheme related to the referral of Medicare and TRICARE patients.
January 28, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Georgia: Doctor charged for prescribing narcotics to non patients, ordered detained until trial
SAVANNAH, Ga: A physician with clinics in Pooler, Ga., and Braselton, Ga., has been indicted for illegally prescribing drugs to non-patients and ordered held in custody pending trial in federal court.
January 28, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Western District of New York: Orchard Park Pain Doctor Pleads Guilty To Using Patient Names Fraudulently To Obtain Controlled Substances
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Dr. Paul Biddle, 54, of Amherst, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to identity theft and possession of unlawful hydromorphone HCL. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
January 23, 2019; U.S. Department of Justice: Walgreen Co. Agrees to Pay $3.5 Million to Settle Allegations Under the False Claims Act
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced today that Walgreen Co. ("Walgreens") has agreed to pay $3.5 million to the United States and the State of Wisconsin to settle allegations that Walgreens violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicaid for stimulant medications without complying with Medicaid rules designed to ensure that stimulants are dispensed for appropriate medical treatment.
January 22, 2019; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $269.2 Million Recovery From Walgreens In Two Civil Healthcare Fraud Settlements
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Gregory E. Demske, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS-OIG"), Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of HHS-OIG's New York Regional Office, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service ("DCIS") Northeast Field Office, Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General ("DOL-OIG"), Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office ("USPS-OIG"), and Thomas W. South, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General ("OPM-OIG"), announced today that the United States filed and settled two healthcare fraud lawsuits against national pharmacy chain WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. ("WALGREENS"), pursuant to which WALGREENS must pay the United States and state governments a total of $269.2 million.

December 2018

December 21, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

United States Joins False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Wheeling Hospital, R & V Associates, and Ronald Violi Based on Improper Payments and Kickbacks to Physicians
The United States has partially intervened in a lawsuit under the False Claims Act against Wheeling Hospital Inc. (Wheeling), R & V Associates Ltd. (R & V), and Ronald Violi in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Department of Justice announced today. The government intervened with respect to allegations that Wheeling, which is located in Wheeling, WV, violated the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute, and that those violations were caused by R & V, Wheeling's contracted management consultant, and Violi, Wheeling's CEO.

December 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of New York

Daycare Owner Sentenced For Stealing Government Funds
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tariq Butt, 42, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of theft of government funds, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $305,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services.

December 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Fort Myers Doctor Agrees To Pay More Than $1.7 Million To Resolve Allegations Of Fraud
Fort Myers, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Dr. Jonathan Daitch, M.D. has agreed to a civil settlement that will pay $1.718 million to the United States to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by receiving illegal kickbacks associated with the provision of anesthesia services and by causing the submission of medically unnecessary urine tests.

December 19, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Eight Dallas-Area Pharmacy Owners and Marketers Charged in $9 Million Kickback Scheme
Eight Dallas, Texas-area pharmacy owners and marketers were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their roles in a scheme involving approximately $92 million in compound drug claims to TRICARE and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which were allegedly the product of over $9.1 million in illegal kickbacks.

December 18, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Miami-Area Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison for Role in $8.4 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
The owner of a Miami, Florida-area pharmacy who caused Medicare to pay more than $8.4 million over a six-year period for prescription drugs that were never provided to beneficiaries was sentenced today to 87 months in prison.

December 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas

Local Nurse Heads to Prison for Healthcare Fraud and Kickback Convictions
HOUSTON - A 51-year old nurse from Sugar Land is headed to federal prison following his convictions of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, six counts of health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A federal jury returned the guilty verdicts against John Dubor May 17, 2018, after deliberating less than six hours following a three-day trial.

December 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia

Maryland Woman Charged With Health Care Fraud
WASHINGTON - A Maryland woman who was employed as a personal care aide has been charged with scheming to submit false claims to the District of Columbia's Medicaid program.

December 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Hampshire

Former Physician Assistant Convicted In Kickback Scheme
Concord - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that a federal jury found Christopher Clough, 44, of Dover, New Hampshire guilty of participating in a scheme in which he received kickbacks in exchange for prescribing a powerful fentanyl spray to patients in violation of federal law.

December 17, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Miami-Area Woman Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Role in $4.65 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Miami, Florida-area woman was sentenced to 78 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release today for her role in a $4.65 million health care fraud scheme involving three home health agencies that purported to provide home health services to Medicare patients.

December 14, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Pharmacy Owner Convicted in Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury in Los Angeles, California found a pharmacy owner guilty today for her role in a Medicare fraud scheme involving more than $1.3 million in fraudulent claims for prescription drugs.

December 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Tennessee

Former CEO of Nashville Company Charged With Healthcare Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - December 14, 2018 - Margaret Fisher, 60, formerly of Nashville, Tennessee, was arrested yesterday by United States Marshals in Williston, North Dakota and charged with four counts of healthcare fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.

December 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Montana

Browning woman admits embezzlement of Blackfeet Tribe's Head Start program
GREAT FALLS-Browning resident Denise L. Sharp, 60, who worked for the Blackfeet Tribe's Head Start Program, admitted in federal court on Tuesday to stealing money through an overall scheme involving others in which an estimated $232,000 was fraudulently claimed as overtime pay, U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme said.

December 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Tennessee

45-Count Indictment Charges Clarksville, Tennessee Physician With Massive Opioid Distribution and Healthcare Fraud Scheme
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - December 14, 2018 - A 45-count federal indictment was unsealed yesterday, charging Dr. Samson Orusa, 56, of Clarksville, Tennessee with maintaining a drug-involved premises; 22 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance outside the bounds of professional medical practice; 13 counts of healthcare fraud; and nine counts of money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.

December 13, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Bridgeport Woman Admits Role in Medicaid Fraud Scheme
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TOSHIREA JACKSON, 49, of Bridgeport, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of health care fraud.

December 13, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Hospice Care Provider Pays Nearly $6 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that SouthernCare, Inc., a hospice care provider, has agreed to pay $5,863,426 to the federal government to resolve allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for hospice care that was medically unnecessary or lacked documentation.

December 11, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Government Intervenes in False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Sutter Health and Palo Alto Medical Foundation for Mischarging the Medicare Advantage Program
The United States has intervened in a complaint against Sutter Health LLC, a California-based healthcare services provider, and an affiliated entity, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, (collectively "Sutter") that alleges that Sutter violated the False Claims Act by submitting inaccurate information about the health status of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans, the Justice Department announced today. Sutter Health is headquartered in Sacramento, California.

December 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York

Audiology Practice with Locations Throughout Central New York to Pay More Than $566,000 to Settle False Claims Act Claims
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Oviatt Hearing and Balance, LLC (Oviatt), which operates audiology practices in Syracuse, Camillus, Manlius, and Oswego, New York, has agreed to pay $566,263.08 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely billing the federal government for services rendered by unlicensed individuals and by inappropriately providing gift cards and other inducements to Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General's New York Region (HHS-OIG).

December 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maine

Rockport Man Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Embezzlement
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Michael A. Morrison, 42, of Rockland, Maine, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to health care fraud and embezzlement from a health care benefit program.

December 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Nevada Pain Management Doctor Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Distribution Of Opioids
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A Las Vegas pain management doctor pleaded guilty Monday in federal court for unlawfully prescribing opioids, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson of the District of Nevada.

December 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Coordinated Health and CEO Pay $12.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability for Fraudulent Billing
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Coordinated Health Holding Company, LLC ("Coordinated Health") and its founder, principal owner, and Chief Executive Officer, Emil DiIorio, M.D., agreed to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that they submitted false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs for orthopedic surgeries. Coordinated Health agreed to pay $11.25 million and DiIorio agreed personally to pay $1.25 million, for total settlement of $12.5 million. Coordinated Health has also entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will require regular monitoring of its billing practices for five years.

December 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Wisconsin

Aurora Health Care, Inc. Agrees to Pay $12 Million to Settle Allegations Under the False Claims Act and the Stark Law
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced today that Aurora Health Care, Inc. ("Aurora") has agreed to pay $12 million to the United States and State of Wisconsin to settle allegations that Aurora violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare and Medicaid in violation of the Stark Law. Aurora and its affiliates ("Aurora") are part of Advocate Aurora Health, Inc., an integrated health care system that serves patients throughout eastern Wisconsin, Illinois, and the upper peninsula of Michigan.

December 10, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, Former Senior Executive Plead Guilty to Distributing Endoscopes After Failing to File FDA-Required Adverse Event Reports of Serious Infections
Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus) and a former senior executive in Japan pleaded guilty today in Newark, New Jersey, to failing to file required adverse event reports involving infections connected to duodenoscopes, and to continuing to sell the duodenoscopes in the United States despite those failures, the Justice Department announced today.

December 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Illinois

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Doctor for Allegedly Approving Medically Unnecessary Tests Billed to Medicare
CHICAGO - A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a physician on fraud charges for allegedly approving medically unnecessary diagnostic tests that were billed to Medicare.

December 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma

Three Charged with Violating Federal Anti-Kickback Laws and Committing More Than $4.7 Million in Health Care Fraud
TULSA, Okla.- A grand jury returned an indictment today charging three men, including two physicians, with violations of the federal anti-kickback statute as well as conspiring to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

December 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Unlicensed Dentist Convicted Of Healthcare Fraud, Conspiracy To Commit Healthcare Fraud, And Conspiracy To Violate The Anti-Kickback Statute
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LUIS OMAR VARGAS, an unlicensed dentist, was convicted last Friday, after a two-week jury trial, for defrauding health insurance companies by billing for false claims, billing for claims performed by him as an unlicensed provider, and for conspiring to pay kickbacks to his patients. The trial was presided over by United States District Judge Ronnie Abrams.

December 7, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

South Florida Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Prison for Role in $2.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
An owner of a now-defunct Miami pharmacy was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for his participation in a scheme that caused Medicare to pay $2.5 million in false and fraudulent claims for prescription drugs that were never purchased.

December 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Virginia

Former Owner of Sleep Study Businesses Sentenced for Fraud
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Sterling woman was sentenced today to 7 years in prison for health care fraud and tax charges for operating a fraudulent sleep study clinic in Northern Virginia.

December 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Three Pittsburgh Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Three residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court this week to conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

December 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

Former Maryland Physician Agrees to Pay $400,000 to the United States to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Billing for Psychotherapy Services
Baltimore, Maryland - M. Wagdi Attia, M.D., a physician who until April 1, 2018 had a medical practice in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $400,000 to resolve allegations that from January 1, 2013 through May 31, 2017, Dr. Attia fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for services not rendered.

December 7, 2018; US. Attorney; Eastern District of North Carolina

Two More Health Care Executives Plead Guilty in Connection with Medicaid Behavioral Health Fraud
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, LISA CAROL RAYMOND, 55, of Greenville, North Carolina, and ROBERT PAUL MAGLICIC, JR., 36, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, to the charge of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.

December 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Texas

Woman Admits Defrauding Medicaid a Second Time, This Time from Prison
In 2015, Alexis C. Norman pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud. But while awaiting sentencing, she concocted another healthcare fraud scheme.

December 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Medical Device Maker ev3 to Plead Guilty and Pay $17.9 Million for Distributing Adulterated Device; Covidien Paid $13 Million to Resolve Civil Liability for Second Device
Minnesota-based medical device manufacturer ev3 Inc. has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to its neurovascular medical device, Onyx Liquid Embolic System, and pay $17.9 million, the Department of Justice announced today. Covidien LP, whose parent acquired ev3, separately paid $13 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations resulting from its alleged payment of kickbacks in connection with another medical device, the Solitaire mechanical thrombectomy device.

December 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Florida Home Health Services Company Owner and Co-Conspirator Plead Guilty for Roles in $8.6 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
Two Miami, Florida residents pleaded guilty today to health care fraud charges for their roles in an $8.6 million health care fraud scheme.

December 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

Home Healthcare Worker Pleads Guilty to Billing Medicaid While on a Cruise Ship
St. Louis, MO - Demagio Smith, 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty to conspiracy to make false statements to Medicaid. In his plea agreement, Smith admitted that he repeatedly submitted false time sheets to Medicaid that suggested that he was working as a home health care aide during 2013-17, and was taking care of two women inside their homes. In reality, Smith was actually working at another job or traveling outside of Missouri on the dates and times indicated in his time sheets. Smith's out of town trips included travel to California, New Jersey, the Virgin Islands, and a voyage on a Caribbean cruise ship. Sentencing for Mr. Smith is set for March 6, 2019.

November 2018

November 29, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

South Florida Pharmacist Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Role in $5 Million Compounding Pharmacy Scheme
A South Florida pharmacist was sentenced to 78 months in prison today for his role in a $5 million compounding pharmacy scheme.

November 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia

Physicians pay more than $1.5 million to government for kickback scheme
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Four physicians from three states have settled with the United States Government for their roles in a kickback scheme that included West Virginia physicians, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

November 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina

Mount Pleasant Speech Therapist Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft
Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Gena Randolph, 44, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was sentenced to over 9 years in federal prison for executing a health care fraud scheme over the course of almost five years.

November 27, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Louisiana Physician's Assistant Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Unlawfully Distribute Controlled Substances
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based physician's assistant pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to unlawfully distribute thousands of oxycodone pills.

November 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Twelve Individuals Charged in Extensive Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy to Defraud Medicaid Home Care Program
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Ten residents of Western Pennsylvania, a resident of Georgia, and a resident of South Carolina were charged by a federal grand jury in a 22-count indictment related to a years-long conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

November 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Louisiana

Four Sentenced for Involvement in Local Pill Mill
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that AMANDA JEPPE, age 34, ALAN GREGOIRE, age 36, CHANTELL EVERS, age 28, and JESSIE EVERS, age 28, were sentenced today after previously pleading guilty for their roles in an oxycodone conspiracy stemming from a pill mill that operated out of Gulf South Physician's Group in Metairie.

November 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts

Medford Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security, Medicare, MassHealth and Food Stamp Fraud
BOSTON - A Medford woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, Medicare, MassHealth and Food Stamps.

November 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Nevada Cardiologist Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Distribution Of Oxycodone And Hydrocodone
RENO, Nev. - A northern Nevada cardiologist pleaded guilty today to distributing highly addictive prescription drugs Oxycodone and Hydrocodone to patients without a medical purpose, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.

November 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina

Lexington Therapy Practice Agrees to Pay $200,000 to Resolve Allegations That It Submitted False Claims to Medicare and Medicaid
COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Vital Energy Occupational Therapy and Wellness Center, LLC, headquartered in Lexington, South Carolina, has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted false or fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid for physical and occupational therapy services.

November 21, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Two Dallas Area Clinic Workers Charged in $5.9 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A federal grand jury indicted two clinic workers yesterday for their roles in a scheme involving approximately $5.9 million in allegedly fraudulent Department of Labor claims for unprovided drug screening and improperly coded physical therapy and report writing services.

November 20, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Louisiana Doctor Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Receive Health Care Kickback Payments
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based doctor pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to receive approximately $336,000 in illegal health care kickback payments.

November 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

2nd SKS Associates Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dispensing Controlled Substances, Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, PA - A prescribing physician with SKS Associates, an opioid treatment facility located in Johnstown, Pa., waived indictment and pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

November 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Burlington, New Jersey, Doctor Arrested for Role in $20 Million Telemedicine Compounded Medication Scheme
NEWARK, N.J. - A Burlington, New Jersey, man was arrested Friday for his role in a telemedicine scheme to prescribe expensive compounded medications to patients who did not need them, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

November 15, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Detroit Doctor, Office Manager and Patient Recruiter Charged with Illegal Distribution of Prescription Drugs
An indictment was unsealed today charging Dr. Otis Leon Crawford, D.O., and two other individuals with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.

November 14, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Detroit Clinic Owner Sentenced to Over 13 Years in Prison for $8.9 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
The owner of two Detroit-area clinics was sentenced to 160 months in prison today for her role in a scheme involving approximately $8.9 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care and other physician services that were procured through the payment of kickbacks, were not medically necessary, were not actually provided, or were provided by an unlicensed physician.

November 14, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Milwaukee Resident Convicted of Prescription Fraud and Aggravated ID Theft in Scheme to Obtain Oxycodone
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced today that Kameka Simpson, 43, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty in federal district court to one count of obtaining controlled substances (oxycodone) by fraud, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). The indictment against Simpson and others, returned by the grand jury earlier this year, was part of a larger National Healthcare Fraud and Opioid Takedown coordinated by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services.

November 7, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Co-Owners of Miami Pain Management Clinic and Patient Recruiter Sentenced to Prison for Scheme to Distribute Medically Unnecessary Opioid Prescriptions
The husband and wife co-owners of a Miami, Florida pain management clinic and a patient recruiter who doubled as a drug diverter were sentenced to prison today for their participation in a scheme to unlawfully distribute thousands of pills of oxycodone.

November 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

Maryland Treatment Centers Agrees to Pay $500,000 to Resolve Allegations That It Submitted Claims for Services That Were Undocumented or Not Provided
Baltimore, Maryland - Maryland Treatment Centers has agreed to pay the United States $500,000 to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it submitted false claims to the United States for mental health and substance abuse services that were undocumented or not provided. Maryland Treatment Centers, including its affiliate Mountain Manor Treatment Centers, offers mental health and substance abuse services to children and adults in outpatient and inpatient locations in Maryland, including Baltimore and Rockville.

November 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas

Katy Woman Sentenced in Health Care Fraud and Kickback Schemes
HOUSTON - The owner of three Houston area clinics has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Joy Aneke, 51, of Katy, entered her plea on May 16, 2018.

November 6, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Kentucky

$5.1 Million Dollar Settlement Reached With Indiana Dental Firm To Resolve False Claims Allegations
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman announced today that ImmediaDent of Indiana, LLC (ImmediaDent), which operates nine dental care practices in Indiana, and Kansas based Samson Dental Partners, LLC (SDP), which provides administrative support services to ImmediaDent, have agreed to pay the United States and the State of Indiana $5.139 million to resolve allegations that they improperly billed Indiana's Medicaid program for dental services; the companies have been determined to continue to be a high risk to the United States health care programs and their beneficiaries.

November 5, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Patient Recruiter Convicted in $1.1 Million Kickback Scheme
On Friday, Nov. 2, a federal jury found a patient recruiter guilty for her role in a scheme involving approximately $1.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.

November 2, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $2 Million Settlement Of Health Care Fraud Claims Against Metropolitan Retina Associates, Inc., And Dr. Kenneth Felder
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge for the New York Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS-OIG"), announced today a settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit against DR. KENNETH S. FELDER ("FELDER") and METROPOLITAN RETINA ASSOCIATES, INC. ("METROPOLITAN RETINA"). The settlement resolves claims under the False Claims Act alleging that FELDER and METROPOLITAN RETINA billed Medicare and Medicaid for (1) substandard fluorescein angiography tests that were of such poor quality that they lacked all diagnostic value and were effectively worthless; and (2) ophthalmic ultrasounds that were either not performed or lacked any supporting documentation. Under the terms of the settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan, FELDER and METROPOLITAN RETINA admitted and accepted responsibility for their conduct and agreed to pay $2,064,559 to the United States.

November 2, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio

Doctor Practicing in Dublin Charged with Health Care Fraud, Distributing Controlled Substance Through Pain Cream Scheme and Suboxone Clinic
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A federal grand jury has charged a Central Ohio doctor with charges related to a health care fraud scheme that included marketing prescription creams in Sav-a-Lot and low-income neighborhoods and persistently mailing those creams to Medicaid customers, as well as prescribing and distributing Suboxone without medical necessity.

October 2018

October 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky

London Cardiologist Sentenced to 42 Months for Health Care Fraud
LONDON, Ky. - Yesterday, London physician Dr. Anis Chalhoub was sentenced, by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, to serve 42 months in federal prison for health care fraud. In April 2018, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict, after hearing evidence that Dr. Chalhoub defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurers by implanting medically unnecessary pacemakers in his patients, and causing the unnecessary procedures and follow-up care to be billed to health insurance programs.

October 30, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Two Home Health Agency Owners and Two Employees Convicted for Roles in $3.7 Million Home Health Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found two home health owners and two employees guilty today for their roles in a scheme to bill Medicare and Medicaid for over $3.7 million in charges when the owners had previously been excluded from participating in federal health care benefit programs.

October 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Montgomery Nurse Practitioner Convicted of Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances, Health Care Fraud, and Conspiracy
Montgomery, Alabama - On Monday, October 29, 2018, a federal jury convicted nurse practitioner Lilian Ifeoma Akwuba, 39, of Montgomery, Alabama, on 17 counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, 4 counts of health care fraud, 1 count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, and 1 count of conspiring to commit health care fraud, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.

October 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia

Hancock County addiction center co-owner admits to illegally selling suboxone
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Eric Drake, of Weirton, West Virginia, has admitted to illegally distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

October 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Role In Conspiracy To Distribute Hydrocodone And Oxycodone Without A Medical Purpose
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A Las Vegas, Nevada, doctor was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for his role in a prescription drug conspiracy to distribute hydrocodone and oxycodone by allowing his co-conspirators to write illegal opioid prescriptions using his pre-signed prescription pad.

October 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

United States Obtains $3 Million Consent Judgment and Federal Healthcare Exclusions to Settle Civil Complaint Alleging Fraud By Operators of Community Mental Health Clinics
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl entered a $3 million consent judgment against Melchor Martinez, Melissa Chlebowski, both of Allentown, PA, and their businesses, as follows: Northeast Community Mental Health Centers (in Philadelphia); Lehigh Valley Community Mental Health Centers (in Allentown, Easton, and Bethlehem); and Carolina Community Mental Health Centers (in Raleigh, North Carolina).

October 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Physician Charged in a $32 Million Illegal Opioid Distribution Conspiracy
An indictment was unsealed today charging the owner and sole practitioner of a medical clinic with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.

October 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Passavant Memorial Homes and Subsidiaries Settle False Claims Act Allegations
PITTSBURGH - Passavant Memorial Homes, together with its subsidiaries Passavant Development Corporation, PDC Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PDC Pharmacy Philadelphia, and PDC Pharmacy Colorado, have agreed to pay the United States $1,850,000 to settle False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act allegations, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady

October 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia

Two Maryland Women Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging They Defrauded D.C Medicaid Program
WASHINGTON - Two Maryland women who were employed as personal care aides were arrested today on separate federal charges. Both are charged with engaging in a scheme in which they allegedly submitted a combined $1.7 million in false claims to the District of Columbia's Medicaid program.

October 23, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Vascular Access Centers to Pay at Least $3.825 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Philadelphia-based Vascular Access Centers L.P., along with its 23 subsidiary and related corporations (collectively "VAC"), has agreed to pay at least $3.825 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for non-reimbursable vascular access procedures performed on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) beneficiaries and engaging in an alleged kickback scheme related to referrals for such procedures, the Department of Justice announced today.

October 23, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Nigerian Immigrant Pleads Guilty to Day Care Fraud Scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Nigerian owner of a day care center in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to submitting false information to the government as part of a fraud scheme to receive federal child care subsidies.

October 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Bridgeport Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges Stemming from Medicaid Fraud Scheme
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NIKKITA CHESNEY, 45, of Bridgeport, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of health care fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

October 22, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Eight New Orleans-Area Defendants Plead Guilty to Scheme to Possess Oxycodone by Fraud; Six of the Eight Also Plead Guilty to Scheme to Possess with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone on the Black Market
Eight New Orleans, Louisiana-area defendants have pleaded guilty for their participation in a conspiracy to obtain oxycodone through fraud by using fictitious prescriptions. Six of the eight defendants have also pleaded guilty for the roles in a scheme to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone on the black market.

October 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky

Medical Equipment Company Agrees to Pay $5.25 Million to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Claims for Compounded Medical Creams
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Cooley Medical Equipment, Inc., an Eastern Kentucky medical equipment supplier headquartered in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $5,254,912 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false or fraudulent claims that misrepresented the ingredients used in certain compounded medical creams.

October 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Four Pittsburgh Residents Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Four residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were charged in federal court with conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

October 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia

Government files False Claims Act complaint against ophthalmologist, Dr. Aarti D. Pandya
ATLANTA - The government intervened and filed a complaint in a False Claims Act lawsuit against Aarti D. Pandya, M.D. a/k/a Arati D. Pandya, M.D., an ophthalmologist from Conyers, Georgia, and her practice Aarti D. Pandya, M.D., P.C. ("the Pandya Defendants"). The lawsuit alleges that the Pandya Defendants submitted false claims to Medicare for surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and office visits that were medically unnecessary, of worthless value, upcoded, and in some cases, not provided at all.

October 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis Physician Sustains Second Conviction for Health Care
St. Louis, MO - Dr. Devon Golding, 72, of St. Louis County, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for participating in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and four substantive counts of health care fraud. Dr. Golding's trial took place before Judge Audrey G. Fleissig, who ordered a presentence report and set a sentencing hearing for January 29, 2019.

October 18, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Two Michigan Home Health Agency Owners Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud
Two Detroit-area home health agency owners were sentenced to 10 and six years in prison, respectively, for their roles in a multimillion dollar scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for home health services that were never provided.

October 16, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Dallas Physicians and Nurses Sentenced to Prison for Role in $11 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
Two Dallas doctors and three nurses were sentenced yesterday in an $11.3 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false and fraudulent claims for home health services.

October 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Medical Director for Bridgeville Suboxone Clinic Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Wexford, Pa. pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

October 15, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Health Care CEO Pleads Guilty to $150 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Harmful Injections and Unnecessary Prescription of Millions of Opioids
A health care CEO pleaded guilty today to a superseding indictment as part of an investigation into a $300 million health care fraud scheme that involved the distribution of over 6.6 million dosage units of controlled substances and the administration of medically unnecessary injections that resulted in patient harm.

October 15, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa

Iowa Nurse Who Took Pain Medications from Nursing Home Patients Pleads Guilty
An Iowa licensed professional nurse (LPN) who took pain medications from the residents of two nursing homes in 2016 and 2018 pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

October 15, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida

Stuart Doctor Charged in Twenty-Six Count Federal Health Care Fraud Indictment
A doctor has been charged with committing health care fraud out of her practice in Stuart, Florida.

October 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Rhode Island

Previously Deported Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft, Health Care and Welfare Fraud, Misuse of Social Security Numbers and Illegal Reentry
PROVIDENCE, RI - A previously deported Dominican national pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to charges that he reentered the country illegally, and then used the identities and Social Security numbers of others without their knowledge to fraudulently obtain health care and welfare benefits.

October 9, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Texas Hospital Administrator Convicted of Health Care Fraud for Role in $16 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury convicted a Houston-area hospital administrator on Friday for his role in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme.

October 9, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Miami-Area Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty for Role in $8.4 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
The owner of a Miami-area pharmacy pleaded guilty for his role in Medicare prescription fraud scheme involving approximately $8.4 million in fraudulent billings.

October 9, 2018; Western District of Virginia

Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud and Wire Fraud
Abingdon, VIRGINIA - A former psychiatrist who previously worked in Lebanon, Virginia pleaded guilty last week to healthcare fraud and wire fraud, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced.

October 5, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Texas

Grayson County Physician Guilty of Federal Drug Charges
SHERMAN, Texas - A 57-year-old Sherman, Texas doctor has pleaded guilty to federal drug distribution and fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.

October 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Texas Patient Recruiter Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for $3.6 Million Home Health Care Fraud Scheme
WASHINGTON - A Houston, Texas-area patient recruiter was sentenced to 108 months in prison today for her role in a $3.6 million Medicare fraud scheme involving fraudulent claims for home health services.

October 4, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Fort Myers Durable Medical Equipment Providers Sentenced To Prison For Payment Of Illegal Kickbacks
Fort Myers, FL - U.S. District Court Judge John E. Steele has sentenced Ryan Williamson (50, Fort Myers) and William Pierce (50, Virginia) to one year in prison, and nine months' imprisonment, respectively, for conspiring to pay unlawful kickbacks to a local doctor for referring patients to A&G Spinal Solutions, LLC ("A&G Spinal") - the defendants' durable medical equipment company. As part of their sentences, the Court also entered money judgments against Williamson in the amount of $1,593,564.54, and against Pierce in the amount of $803,007.25, the proceeds of the conspiracy. Both men had previously pleaded guilty.

October 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Nurse Practitioner And Technician Plead Guilty To Unlawful Distribution Of Prescription Opioids And Health Care Fraud
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A nurse practitioner and a surgical technician pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday in connection to the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids and for committing Medicare and Medicaid fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.

October 2, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of California

Santa Rosa Doctor Indicted For Unlawfully Prescribing Fentanyl And Oxycodone
SAN FRANCISCO -A federal grand jury indicted Santa Rosa doctor Thomas Keller, charging him with distributing Schedule II and IV controlled substances outside the scope of his professional practice and without a legitimate medical need, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan. Keller was also charged with two counts of health care fraud related to billing.

October 1, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

AmerisourceBergen Corporation Agrees to Pay $625 Million to Resolve Allegations That it Illegally Repackaged Cancer-Supportive Injectable Drugs to Profit From Overfill
The Department of Justice announced today that AmerisourceBergen Corporation and its subsidiaries AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (ABSG), AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (ABDC), Oncology Supply Company (OSC), and Medical Initiatives Inc. (MII) (collectively, "ABC") have agreed to pay $625 million to resolve allegations arising from its operation of a facility that improperly repackaged oncology-supportive injectable drugs into pre-filled syringes and improperly distributed those syringes to physicians treating vulnerable cancer patients. ABC is one of the nation's largest wholesale drug companies and ranked number 11 on the Fortune 500 list. The drugs involved in ABC's scheme were Procrit®, Aloxi®, Kytril® and its generic form granisetron, Anzemet® and Neupogen®.

October 1, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Medicare Advantage Provider to Pay $270 Million to Settle False Claims Act Liabilities
HealthCare Partners Holdings LLC, doing business as DaVita Medical Holdings LLC (DaVita), has agreed to pay $270 million to resolve its False Claims Act liability for providing inaccurate information that caused Medicare Advantage Plans to receive inflated Medicare payments, the Justice Department announced today. DaVita is headquartered in El Segundo, California.

September 2018

September 28, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Kalispell Regional Healthcare System to Pay $24 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Montana-based Kalispell Regional Healthcare System (KRH) along with six subsidiaries and related entities - Kalispell Regional Medical Center (KRMC), HealthCenter Northwest LLC (HealthCenter), Flathead Physicians Group LLC (Flathead), Northwest Horizons LLC (NH), Northwest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine LLC (NOSM), and Applied Health Services Inc. (AHS), (collectively, "KRH entities") - have agreed to pay $24 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by paying physicians more than fair market value, and by conspiring to enter into arrangements that improperly induced referrals, the Department of Justice announced today.

September 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Government Settles $1.2 Million Lawsuit Against Florida Compounding Pharmacy And Its Owner For Excessive Charges To TRICARE
Tampa - U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that the United States has settled allegations that a Tampa-based compounding pharmacy, now-defunct RS Compounding, LLC, and its owner, Renier Gobea, knowingly billed TRICARE excessive prices for compounded prescriptions. In reaching this settlement, the parties resolved allegations that, between January 1, 2012, and January 31, 2014, Gobea and RS Compounding charged TRICARE at least 2,000 percent more for drugs than they charged cash-paying customers, in violation of the False Claims Act.

September 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Greensburg Physician Charged with Illegally Distributing Suboxone, Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH - A Greensburg physician has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of distribution of buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice; using and maintaining a drug-involved premises; health care fraud; and money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

September 27, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Detroit Doctor Sentenced to more than 11 Years in Prison for $8.9 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Detroit-area doctor was sentenced to 135 months in prison today for her role in a scheme involving approximately $8.9 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care and other physician services that were procured through the payment of kickbacks, were not medically necessary, were not actually provided or, in some instances, were provided by the defendant, who was not a licensed physician during the relevant time period.

September 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Southeastern Connecticut Doctor Pays $99,912 to Settle Allegations under the False Claims Act
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HELAR CAMPOS, MD, a physician with a practice in New London and Norwich, has entered into a civil settlement with the government in which he will pay $99,912 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act.

September 25, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Hospital Chain Will Pay Over $260 Million to Resolve False Billing and Kickback Allegations; One Subsidiary Agrees to Plead Guilty
Health Management Associates, LLC (HMA), formerly a U.S. hospital chain headquartered in Naples, Florida, will pay over $260 million to resolve criminal charges and civil claims relating to a scheme to defraud the United States. The government alleged that HMA knowingly billed government health care programs for inpatient services that should have been billed as outpatient or observation services, paid remuneration to physicians in return for patient referrals, and submitted inflated claims for emergency department facility fees.

September 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Louisiana

Six Individuals Sentenced in Case Charging Health Care Fraud and Kickback Conspiracies and Obstruction
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today the sentencing of four local physicians, a biller, and office manager following a four week trial that ended on May 9, 2018.

September 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Virginia

VCU Health System Authority Agrees to $4 Million Settlement
RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority (VCU), which operates VCU Medical Center and related healthcare facilities in Richmond, agreed to pay $3,994,151 to settle claims for billing overpayments paid by Medicare, Tricare, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHB) for services rendered to patients.

September 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

National Hospital Chain Will Pay Over $260 Million
PHILADELPHIA, PA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain today announced a $55 million civil settlement with Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS) to resolve civil allegations relating to two hospitals operated by Health Management Associates (HMA), in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The resolution of these claims in the Eastern District is part of a larger $260 million settlement between the Department of Justice and CHS which arose out of HMA's fraudulent billing practices in multiple healthcare institutions across the United States.

September 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of North Carolina

Two Charlotte Area Hospitals Among $260 Million Global Settlement Between Hospital Chain And The United States
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Department of Justice announced today that Health Management Associates, LLC (HMA), formerly a major U.S. hospital chain headquartered in Naples, Florida, will pay over $260 million to resolve criminal charges and civil claims relating to a scheme to defraud the United States. This global settlement also resolves False Claims Act allegations against two Charlotte-area hospitals, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Davis Regional Medical Center.

September 24, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Owner of New York City Pharmacies Charged in Scheme to Defraud Medicare and Medicaid
The owner of four pharmacies in Queens, New York, will be arraigned later today in federal court in Brooklyn on an indictment charging her with submitting millions of dollars in claims as part of a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The proceeding will take place before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione at 11:00 a.m.

September 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York

Board Certified Ophthalmologist Agrees to Civil Fraud Settlement in Medicare Fraud Investigation
The United States has entered into an agreement to settle civil fraud claims with Dr. Mark Fleckner, a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who maintains a practice in Garden City, New York. The agreement resolves allegations that, in contravention of Medicare regulations and in violation of the federal False Claims Act, Dr. Fleckner administered certain pharmaceutical products that he had purchased overseas, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") had not evaluated nor approved for use in the United States ("Unapproved Drugs"). These products included aflibercept ("Eylea") and ranibizumab ("Lucentis"), which Dr. Fleckner used to treat patients who had wet, age-related macular degeneration or other diseases and conditions of the eye. The United States contends that the Unapproved Drugs were not eligible for reimbursement by Medicare. Under the terms of the civil settlement agreement, Dr. Fleckner will pay a total of $6,955,240.80.

September 21, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts

Physician Convicted of False Billing Scheme
BOSTON - A physician and former employee of New England Pain Management Associates, Inc. was convicted today by a federal jury of conspiring to falsify patient medical records between May 2012 and May 2013 in an effort to obtain payments from Medicare and commercial insurers for medical services that were not performed.

September 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York

Most Wanted Fugitive Arraigned on Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud
Etienne Allonce is scheduled to be arraigned today before United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco at the federal courthouse in Central Islip on charges of health care fraud and conspiracy, for allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid out of millions of dollars. Allonce was expelled from Haiti to face the charges in the indictment pending here, and turned over to the custody of law enforcement agents. Prior to his return to the United States, Allonce was placed on the Most Wanted list of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

September 19, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Physician and Two Clinic Operators Found Guilty for Their Roles in $17 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found a physician and two clinic owners and operators guilty yesterday for their roles in a $17 million Medicare fraud scheme.

September 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky

Federal Court Orders $1.3 Million Judgment Against Toxicology Laboratory for Committing Healthcare Fraud
FRANKFORT, Ky. - The U.S. District Court has entered a civil judgment of $1,374,058, in favor of the United States and against Calloway Laboratories, Inc. ("Calloway"), a clinical laboratory based in Woburn, Massachusetts, holding Calloway liable for submitting false claims to federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and TRICARE.

September 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts

Springfield Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Sharing Patient Medical Files
BOSTON - A Springfield gynecologist was sentenced today in connection with allowing a pharmaceutical sales representative to access patient records and lying to federal investigators.

September 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Clearwater Doctor Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud
Tampa, Florida - Dr. Jayam Krishna Iyer (66, Clearwater) today pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, or 20 years, if her offense involves serious bodily injury. As part of the plea, Iyer has agreed to surrender both her DEA registration number that she used to prescribe controlled substances and her Florida medical license, and to a permanent exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

September 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Suboxone Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dispensing Prescription Drugs and Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, PA. - The former owner of a Bridgeville, PA Suboxone clinic pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

September 17, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Hampshire

Windham Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud and Prescription Fraud Charges
CONCORD - Kristen Khanna, 42, of Windham, pleaded guilty in federal court today to healthcare fraud and prescription fraud charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

September 17, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia

Ohio physician sentenced to nearly five years for fraudulently distributing controlled substances
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Dr. Tod Hagins, of Wintersville, Ohio, was sentenced today to 57 months incarceration for writing fraudulent prescriptions to be sold on the streets from his Weirton, West Virginia practice, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

September 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Port Charlotte Doctor Sentenced To Five Months In Prison For Obstruction Of An Audit
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Steven Merrday has sentenced Dr. John Janick (73, Port Charlotte) to five months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for obstructing a Medicare audit. As part of his sentence, Janick is required to pay $118,831.62 in restitution to the Medicare program.

September 12, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

CEO of Lab Testing Company and Marketing Representative Sentenced to Federal Prison in Pain Management Clinic Kickback Scheme
Baltimore, Maryland - Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Konstantin Bas, age 41, of Brooklyn, New York, and co-conspirator Mubtagha Shah Syed, age 49, of Jersey City, New Jersey, today to a year and a day, and three months in prison, respectively, each followed by three years of supervised release, for a scheme in which a Maryland pain management practice referred urine specimens to Bas's testing lab in return for $1.37 million in kickbacks. Chief Judge Bredar also ordered Bas to forfeit $241,600 and to pay a fine of $5,000. Chief Judge Bredar ordered that Syed serve the first three months of his supervised release in home detention with electronic monitoring, and ordered that Syed forfeit $23,400 and pay a fine of $4,000.

September 11, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Detroit-Area Podiatrist Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud
A Detroit-area podiatrist was sentenced to 28 months in prison today for his participation in a $1 million scheme involving podiatry services that were billed to Medicare but were never rendered.

September 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

Pain Management Physician Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Central Role in Million Dollar Kickback Scheme and Fraudulent Billing Scheme
Baltimore, Maryland - Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Atif Babar Malik, age 48, of Germantown, Maryland, today to eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was imposed for his trial conviction on 26 counts arising from two criminal schemes involving $1.376 million in kickbacks and fraudulently billing, as well as his guilty plea to a conspiracy to defraud the United States of more than $2.1 million in taxes. Chief Judge Bredar also ordered Malik to pay a fine of $75,000; to pay restitution of $175,000; and to forfeit $241,976.

September 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio

Columbus Pharmacist Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Scheme
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Maria Mascio, 62, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution for executing a decade-long health care fraud scheme.

September 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Arizona

Youth Care Worker Convicted of Sexually Abusing Unaccompanied Minors in Southwest Key Facility
PHOENIX - On Sept. 7, 2018, a federal jury convicted Levian D. Pacheco, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz., of seven counts of abusive sexual contact with a ward and three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan presided over the seven-day trial. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2018.

September 7, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

South Florida Pharmacist Convicted of Health Care Fraud for Role in $5 Million Compounding Pharmacy Scheme
A federal jury found a South Florida pharmacist guilty today of health care fraud for his role in a $5 million compounding pharmacy scheme.

September 7, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

South Florida Doctor Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Participating in a Conspiracy to Illegally Dispense Opioids and Other Drugs
Dr. Andres Mencia, 64, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was sentenced today to 78 months in prison, after having been convicted by a federal jury in South Florida, of participating in a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

September 5, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Two Individuals Associated With a Mental Health Company Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion
Two individuals associated with a mental health company pleaded guilty to health care fraud related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.

September 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Houston Psychiatrist Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Role in $155 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Houston psychiatrist was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for his role in a $155 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false and fraudulent claims for psychiatric services.

August 2018

August 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Michigan

Former Home Health Nurse Pleads Guilty To Tampering With Patients' Drugs
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Kristie Ann Mollohan, 42, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, pled guilty before the Hon. Phillip J. Green, U.S. Magistrate Judge, to two counts of tampering with a consumer product. This federal offense prohibits tampering with a drug or other consumer product with reckless disregard for the risk of death or bodily injury and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the risk of injury or death. Mollohan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment on each count, and she will be required to serve a term of supervised release after any prison term has been completed. U.S. District Judge Gordon J. Quist will sentence Mollohan on a date to be scheduled by the Court.

August 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Suboxone Clinic Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dispensing Controlled Substances, Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, PA - A prescribing physician with SKS Associates, an opioid treatment facility located in Johnstown, PA, guilty in federal court to charges of dispense and distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

August 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Four Individuals Charged In Widespread Scheme To Defraud Medicare And Other Health Insurance Providers Through Fraudulent Medical Corporations And False Billing Resulting In Tens Of Millions Of Dollars In Losses
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General ("HHS-OIG"), and Thomas P. DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, announced the unsealing today of an indictment charging JAMES SPINA, JEFFREY SPINA, ANDREA GROSSMAN, and KIMBERLY SPINA with participating in a widespread health care fraud scheme through their fraudulent operation of Dolson Avenue Medical ("DAM" or the "Practice"), a multi-disciplinary medical clinic located in Middletown, New York. The defendants were all arrested today, and presented in federal district court in White Plains. This case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas.

August 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia

Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud in Scheme Targeting D.C. Medicaid Program
WASHINGTON - A Maryland man who was employed as a personal care aide pled guilty today to a federal charge of health care fraud stemming from a scheme

August 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio

Doctor Sentenced for Running Pill Mill
DAYTON - David Kirkwood, 62, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 70 months in prison and five years of supervised release for running a pill mill in Dayton.

August 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Suboxone Clinic Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances and Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH, PA. - A resident of Sewickley, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

August 28, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Co-Owners of Miami Pain Management Clinic Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Medically Unnecessary Opioid Prescriptions
The husband and wife co-owners of a Miami pain management clinic and a patient recruiter pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for their participation in a scheme to unlawfully distribute thousands of pills of oxycodone.

August 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of California

Saratoga Doctor Sentenced To More Than Five Years In Prison For Health Care Fraud And Providing False Billing Statements To Health Care Benefit Programs
SAN JOSE- Vilasini Ganesh was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for health care fraud and making false statements related to a health care benefits program, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, U.S. District Judge.

August 27, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Ambulance Company and its Municipal Clients Agree to Pay Over $21 Million to Settle Allegations of Unlawful Kickbacks and Improper Financial Relationships
Seven ambulance industry defendants have agreed to pay the government a total of over $21 million to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging that they knowingly submitted claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs that violated the Anti Kickback Statute, the Justice Department announced today.

August 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Montgomery "Pill Mill" Doctor Receives a 145- Month Sentence for Drug Distribution, Health Care Fraud, and Money Laundering Offenses; "Pill Mill" Mental Health Counselor Pleads Guilty in Related Case
Montgomery, Alabama - On Thursday, August 23, 2018, Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, 56, of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to serve 12 years and 1 month in prison for prescribing unnecessary controlled substances to his patients, committing health care fraud, and laundering money, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.

August 23, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

California Doctor Convicted of Medicare Kickback Conspiracy
A federal jury in Los Angeles, California found a Lancaster, California doctor guilty today of conspiracy for his role in a Medicare kickback conspiracy involving a Los Angeles-area home health agency.

August 23, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Reliant to Pay $6.1 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations That it Paid Kickbacks to Nursing Homes for Rehabilitation Therapy Business
Reliant Rehabilitation Holdings Inc. (Reliant), a national provider of rehabilitation therapy and related services headquartered in Plano, Texas, has agreed to pay the United States $6.1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. �3729, et seq., by paying kickbacks to skilled nursing facilities and physicians in connection with care provided to Medicare beneficiaries as a way of improperly promoting Reliant's rehabilitation therapy business, the Justice Department announced today.

August 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia

Eye care provider sentenced to federal prison for Medicare and Medicaid fraud
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Matilda Lynn Prince has been sentenced to federal prison, after a jury convicted her of twenty-nine counts of healthcare fraud for filing fraudulent claims with Medicare and the Georgia Medicaid program for optometry and ophthalmology services that were never provided to patients.

August 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

Warren County Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Distributing Opiods and Medicare Fraud
St. Louis, MO - Dr. Philip Dean, 62, a resident of Warren County, Missouri, pled guilty today to two felony charges, illegally distributing opiate medications and making a false statement to the Medicare program.

August 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of West Virginia

Kentucky Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty to Misbranding Conspiracy
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Karl O'Dell, 61, a pharmacist and owner of a pharmacy in Ashland, Kentucky, pled guilty yesterday to a conspiracy to misbrand oxycodone and hydrocodone. Stuart praised the investigation conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations, the Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, the West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

August 21, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Doctor Sentenced For Participating In $30 Million Scheme To Defraud Medicare And Medicaid
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that physician EWALD J. ANTOINE was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield to one year and one day in prison for his participation in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program. ANTOINE falsely posed as the owner of two medical clinics, which were actually owned by a corrupt businessman, and falsely claimed that he had examined and treated hundreds of patients whom he had not in fact seen. ANTOINE pled guilty on January 11, 2018, to health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud.

August 21, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of West Virginia

HOPE Clinic Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Teresa Emerson, 59, of Bristol, Virginia, pled guilty today to aiding and abetting obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Stuart praised the investigation conducted by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations, the Food and Drug Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the Kentucky State Police, the Beckley Police Department, the Virginia State Police, the Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

August 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Missouri

Nurse pleads guilty to health care fraud related to deceased Fulton man
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A nurse who falsely claimed to provide health care services to Carl DeBrodie, a Medicaid beneficiary in Fulton, Mo., who was found deceased and his body encased in concrete, pleaded guilty in federal court today to health care fraud.

August 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Texas

Ambulance Company Owner Convicted in $3 Million Medicare Fraud Conspiracy
HOUSTON - A 59-year-old Sugar Land man has admitted to conspiring to commit health care fraud through Medicare ambulance claims, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

August 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Illinois

Durable Medical Equipment Provider Lincare Pays $5.25 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Lincare, Inc., has paid $5.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute by offering illegal price reductions to Medicare beneficiaries, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced today. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, Lincare is one of the nation's largest providers of oxygen and other respiratory therapy services to patients in the home, with approximately 1,000 locations across the United States.

August 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Genesee County Physician and Two Others Charged with Health Care Fraud
A grand jury indictment was unsealed today charging Patrick Wittbrodt, Dr. April Tyler and Jeffrey Fillmore of Genesee County with health care fraud and Patrick Wittbrodt with money laundering, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced.

August 15, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Post Acute Medical Agrees to Pay More Than $13 Million to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks and Improper Physician Relationships
Post Acute Medical, LLC, a Pennsylvania-based operator of long term care and rehabilitation hospitals across the country, and certain affiliated entities through which the company operates its facilities (collectively, "PAM"), have agreed to pay the United States, Texas, and Louisiana a total of $13,168,000 to resolve claims that they violated the False Claims Act, and the Texas and Louisiana false claims statutes, by knowingly submitting claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs that resulted from violations of the Anti Kickback Statute and the Physician Self Referral Law, the Justice Department announced today.

August 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Illinois

Red Bud Pharmacy Owner and Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud
Steven P. Gibson, 29, pharmacist and owner of Gibson's Discount Drugs in Red Bud, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court today to charges that he engaged in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs by submitting false claims for fraudulent prescription medications to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies that were not authorized by a physician, nurse practitioner, or a physician's assistant as required. Sentencing is set for November 27, 2018. Gibson will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release on each of the two counts to which he pled guilty.

August 13, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California

Merced Former CEO and Licensed Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud
FRESNO, Calif. - Sandra Haar, 57, of Merced, pleaded guilty today to health care fraud and conspiracy to receive kickbacks, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

August 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma

Grand Jury Indicts Physician for Illegal Remuneration for Health Care Referrals
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Adam Gallardo Arrendondo, 56, of Waxahachie, Texas, charging him with Illegal Remuneration for Health Care Referrals.

August 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Department of Justice

Eldorado Woman Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud Charge
On August 9, 2018, Betsy J. Gutowski, 45, of Eldorado, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court to charges that she engaged in a scheme to steal from a federal health care program, Steven D. Weinhoeft, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Prior to her guilty plea, Gutowski's bond was revoked, and she remains in custody pending sentencing, which is currently set for November 15, 2018. Gutowski faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

August 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Oklahoma

Grand Jury Indicts Physician for Illegal Remuneration for Health Care Referrals
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Adam Gallardo Arrendondo, 56, of Waxahachie, Texas, charging him with Illegal Remuneration for Health Care Referrals.

August 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Tennessee

Physician and Wife Pay $428,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Billing Government Programs for Unapproved Drugs
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey announced today that Dr. Donald Chamberlain and Karen Chamberlain have paid $428,700, to resolve state and federal False Claims Act allegations. It is alleged that from January 7, 2009 through May 2, 2012, their medical practice billed Medicare, Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare), and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) for foreign-sourced anticancer drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing in the United States. Dr. Chamberlain owned and operated Chattanooga Gyn-Oncology, P.C., located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mrs. Chamberlain managed Dr. Chamberlain's medical practice since the time of its inception.

August 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Drug Company Manager Admits Role in Kickback Scheme Related to Fentanyl Spray Prescriptions
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEFFREY PEARLMAN, 51, of Edgewood, N.J., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to engaging in a kickback scheme that defrauded federal healthcare programs.

August 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts

Lowell Physicians Settle Drug Diversion Allegations
BOSTON - Two Lowell-based physicians have agreed to settle with the U.S. Attorney's Office to resolve allegations of improper dispensing of controlled substances and improper billing.

August 6, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Grenada Lake Medical Center to Pay More Than $1.1 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Medically Unnecessary Psychotherapy Services
The Justice Department announced today that Grenada Lakes Medical Center (GLMC), a publicly-owned hospital which at various times has been operated by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and by the Grenada Lake Medical Center Board of Trustees, has agreed to pay more than $1.1 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that the hospital sought and received reimbursement from Medicare for services that were not medically reasonable or necessary.

August 3, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Prime Healthcare Services and CEO to Pay $65 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., Prime Healthcare Foundation, Inc., and Prime Healthcare Management, Inc. (collectively Prime), and Prime's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Prem Reddy, have agreed to pay the United States $65 million to settle allegations that 14 Prime hospitals in California knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by admitting patients who required only less costly, outpatient care and by billing for more expensive patient diagnoses than the patients had (a practice known as "up-coding"), the Justice Department announced today. Under the settlement agreement, Dr. Reddy will pay $3,250,000 and Prime will pay $61,750,000.

August 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia

Northwest ENT Associates, P.C. to pay approximately $1.2 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations
ATLANTA -Northwest ENT Associates, P.C. ("Northwest ENT"), a Marietta, Georgia based professional corporation, has agreed to pay $1,195,361 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims for sinus dilation procedures in which it re-used balloon catheters that were intended for single use only.

August 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Central District of California

Prime Healthcare Services and its CEO Agree to Pay $65 Million to Settle Medicare Overbilling Allegations at 14 California Hospitals
LOS ANGELES - Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.; Prime Healthcare Foundation, Inc.; Prime Healthcare Management, Inc.; and Prime's Founder and chief executive officer, Dr. Prem Reddy, have agreed to pay the United States $65 million to settle allegations that 14 Prime hospitals in California knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by admitting patients who required only less costly, outpatient care and by billing for more expensive patient diagnoses than the patients had (a practice known as "up-coding").

August 2, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Detroit Area Hospital System to Pay $84.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Arising From Improper Payments to Referring Physicians
WASHINGTON - William Beaumont Hospital, a regional hospital system based in the Detroit, Michigan area, will pay $84.5 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act of improper relationships with eight referring physicians, resulting in the submission of false claims to the Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE programs, the Justice Department announced today.

August 2, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina

Early Autism Project, Inc., South Carolina's Largest Provider of Behavioral Therapy for Children with Autism, Pays the United States $8.8 Million to Settle Allegations of Fraud
COLUMBIA, SC - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina announced today that Early Autism Project, Inc. ("EAP") has paid the United States $8,833,615 to resolve a False Claims Act investigation that it submitted false claims to the TRICARE and the South Carolina Medicaid programs for therapy services for children with autism. EAP is South Carolina's largest provider of intensive behavioral treatment to children with autism, known as Applied Behavioral Analysis ("ABA") therapy. TRICARE is the federal health insurance program for active and retired military members and their families, while South Carolina Medicaid provides health benefits to qualifying low-income residents of South Carolina.

August 1, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Doctor Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Participating In $30 Million Scheme To Defraud Medicare And Medicaid
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that physician MUSTAK Y. VAID was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield to 18 months in prison for his participation in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program. VAID falsely posed as the owner of a medical clinic, when that clinic was in fact owned by a corrupt businessman, and falsely claimed that he had examined and treated hundreds of patients whom he had not in fact seen. VAID pled guilty on November 13, 2017, to health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman.

August 1, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina

Mount Pleasant Speech Therapist Convicted of Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft
Charleston, South Carolina---- Following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, a federal jury convicted Gena Randolph, 44, of Mount Pleasant, of committing a $2 million health care fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon.

July 2018

July 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of North Carolina

Federal Court Awards Nearly $3 Million in Damages and Penalties for Medicaid Fraud Scheme
RALEIGH - The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced today that a federal court awarded a nearly $3 million judgment against Compassionate Home Care Services, Inc., Carol Anders, and Ryan Santiago for their participation in a fraud on the North Carolina Medicaid program in violation of the federal and North Carolina False Claims Acts.

July 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Cardiologist Gets 20 Months In Prison For Billing Veterans Affairs For Hundreds Of Bogus Medical Procedures
NEWARK, N.J. - A Somerset, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for defrauding the Veterans Affairs program by billing for services he never performed, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

July 30, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Former Owner of Sleep Study Businesses Convicted of Fraud Conspiracy
A federal jury convicted a Sterling, Virginia woman today on health care fraud and tax charges for operating a fraudulent sleep study clinic in Northern Virginia.

July 25, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Owner of Durable Medical Equipment Company Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Medicaid of More Than $9 Million
The owner of a company that provided durable medical equipment pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of health care fraud for carrying out a scheme in which she fraudulently obtained more than $9.4 million in District of Columbia Medicaid payments.

July 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Columbia

Owner of Durable Medical Equipment Company Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Medicaid of More Than $9 Million
WASHINGTON - The owner of a company that provided durable medical equipment pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of health care fraud for carrying out a scheme in which she fraudulently obtained more than $9.4 million in District of Columbia Medicaid payments.

July 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Las Vegas Doctor Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Distribute Prescription Medications Hydrocodone And Oxycodone Without Medical Purpose
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A Las Vegas doctor pleaded guilty today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute prescription medications, specifically Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, by allowing his co-conspirators to write illegal opioid prescriptions using his prescription pad.

July 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Puerto Rico

Doctor Indicted And Arrested For Health Care Fraud
SAN JUAN, P.R. - On July 19, 2018, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Dr. Miguel Rivera-Sanabria with 18 counts of health care fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, three counts of false statement relating to health care matters, and eight counts for attempted distribution of controlled substances. The defendant was arrested today, announced Rosa Emilia Rodr�guez V�lez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS-OIG") is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

July 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

California Doctor and his Assistant Charged in Scheme to Distribute Prescription Drugs and Commit Health Care Fraud
PITTSBURGH - Two California residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methadone, and oxycodone; distribution of oxycodone; conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and conspiracy to launder money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

July 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Port Charlotte Woman Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Lisa McLaren Janick (47, Port Charlotte) today pleaded guilty to two counts of health care fraud. McLaren Janick faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

July 18, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Medical Device Maker AngioDynamics Agrees to Pay $12.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
WASHINGTON - Latham, New York-based medical device manufacturer AngioDynamics, Inc. has agreed to pay the United States a total of $12.5 million to resolve allegations that the company caused healthcare providers to submit false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs relating to the use of two medical devices, LC Bead and the Perforator Vein Ablation Kit (PVAK), the Justice Department announced today.

July 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of New York

Medical Doctor Convicted in Brooklyn Federal Court of Causing Overdose Death of a Patient
A federal jury in Brooklyn today, following two weeks of trial, convicted Dr. Martin Tesher of 10 counts of unlawful distribution of oxycodone without legitimate medical purpose to five patients, one of whom died as a result two days after his last visit with the defendant. When sentenced by United States District Judge Raymond J. Dearie, Dr. Tesher faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a maximum of life in prison.

July 17, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maine

County Ambulance, Inc. Agrees to Pay $16,776.74 to Settle Civil Health Care Fraud Case
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that County Ambulance, Inc. ("County Ambulance"), of Ellsworth, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States and the State of Maine in which it will pay $16,776.74 to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare and MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) from January 2015 through April 2016. MaineCare is primarily funded by the United States, which pays about two-thirds of all claims submitted to MaineCare.

July 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida

Palm Beach, Florida Home Health Care Company and Its Owner Agree to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations for $1.5 Million
Healthquest, Inc. and its owners, Frank Jaramillo and Ruth Jaramillo, have agreed to pay $1.5 million to the United States to settle allegations that Healthquest paid kickbacks to marketers in order to induce patient referrals, the United States Attorney's Office announced today. Healthquest is a home health care company located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The defendants also entered into a five-year Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General that includes, among other things, an Arrangements Review including a systems review and a transaction review to be conducted by an Independent Review Organization.

July 13, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis County Doctor Pleads Guilty to Obstructing FBI Investigation
St. Louis, MO - Dr. Vidal Sheen, 58, St. Louis County, Missouri, pled guilty to obstructing an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") regarding whether he billed the Medicare program and private insurers for "face to face" office visits performed on dates when he was actually traveling outside of Missouri, and sometimes traveling outside of the United States.

July 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

United States Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Liberty Ambulance For $1.2 Million
Jacksonville, FL - Today, after a multiple-year investigation and the government's intervention into a whistleblower suit in 2015, the United States announces a $1.2 million settlement with Liberty Ambulance. In reaching this settlement, the parties have resolved allegations that, from June 29, 2005, to January 2016, Liberty Ambulance knowingly up-coded claims for life support services from "Basic" to "Advanced" without justification, unnecessarily transported patients, and unnecessarily transported patients to their homes in an emergent fashion.

July 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Owner of Philadelphia Pain Management Clinic Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution of Oxycodone and Xanax
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Arthur Miriana, the owner of a Philadelphia pain management clinic, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of oxycodone and alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax.

July 9, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Health Quest and Putnam Hospital Center to Pay $14.7 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Health Quest Systems, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (Health Quest) and Putnam Health Center (PHC) have agreed to pay over $14.7 million to resolve allegations of violations of the False Claims Act by submitting inflated and otherwise ineligible claims for payment, the Justice Department announced today. New-York based Health Quest is a family of integrated hospitals and healthcare providers that deliver surgical, medical and home health care services. PHC is a Health Quest subsidiary hospital based in Carmel Hamlet, New York.

July 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Waterford Psychologist Pays $126,760 to Settle Allegations under the False Claims Act
United States Attorney John H. Durham and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that ARLENE WERNER, PhD., has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and has paid more than $126,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

July 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Family Practice Doctor Pays $360,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
PITTSBURGH - Brent E. Clark, M.D., a former family practice doctor in Pittsburgh, agreed to pay $360,000 to the United States to settle claims that he violated the False Claims Act by submitting or causing to be submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary and unreasonable services, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

June 2018

June 29, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

South Florida Doctor Convicted Of Participating in a Conspiracy to Illegally Dispense Opioids and Other Drugs
Dr. Andres Mencia, 64, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was convicted today by a federal jury in Fort Lauderdale, of participating in a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

June 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky

Skilled Nursing Facility, Management Company, And Owner Agree To Pay $540,000 To Resolve Allegations Of Providing Worthless Services And Upcoding
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Preferred Care Inc. (Preferred Care); its Stanton, Kentucky skilled nursing facility, Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Stanton Nursing); owner, Thomas D. Scott; Preferred Care Partners Management Group (PCPMG); and certain other affiliated entities have agreed to pay $540,000 to the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to resolve allegations that Stanton Nursing billed Medicare and the Kentucky Medicaid program for fraudulently inflated skilled nursing services and providing materially substandard care, in violation of the False Claims Act.

June 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Indiana

Former health care chief executive sentenced to 9.5 years in federal prison
INDIANAPOLIS B United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler today announced the sentencing of the former CEO of American Senior Communities (ASC) in a massive fraud, kickback, and money laundering conspiracy. James Burkhart, 53, of Carmel, was sentenced to 114 months imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.

June 28, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 601 Individuals Responsible for Over $2 Billion in Fraud Losses
Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III, announced today the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. Thirty state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today's arrests. In addition, HHS announced today that from July 2017 to the present, it has excluded 2,700 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, which includes 587 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.

June 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Missouri

Additional Charges Against KC Daycare Owner Previously Indicted for $556,000 Fraud Scheme
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Additional charges were brought today against the owner of a Kansas City, Mo., day care center who, along with the center's director, was previously indicted by a federal grand jury for a conspiracy to fraudulently receive as much as $556,000 in federal benefits.

June 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Monroe Area Doctor Charged with Illegal Distribution of Prescription Drugs and Health Care Fraud
A grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Dr. Lesly Pompy, 57, of Monroe, Michigan with unlawful distribution of prescription drugs and health care fraud, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.

June 25, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Caris Agrees to Pay $8.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Lawsuit Alleging That it Billed for Ineligible Hospice Patients
WASHINGTON - Caris Healthcare, L.P. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Caris Healthcare, LLC ("Caris Healthcare"), have agreed to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims, and knowingly retaining overpayments, for the care of patients who were ineligible for the Medicare hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill, the Department of Justice announced today. Under the settlement agreement, Caris Healthcare, a for-profit hospice chain that operates in Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina, has agreed to pay $8.5 million.

June 22, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Texas Physician and Two Texas Nurses Convicted for Roles in Home Health Care Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found one physician and two nurses guilty today of health care fraud, and one physician and one nurse guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, all for their roles in a home health fraud scheme.

June 21, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Tennessee

Livingston Regional Hospital, LLC Agrees To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Livingston Regional Hospital, LLC, a LifePoint Health Inc. company, has agreed to pay $784,000 to settle allegations that Livingston Regional Hospital violated the False Claims Act, announced United States Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.

June 20, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Healogics Agrees to Pay Up to $22.51 Million to Settle False Claims Act Liability for Improper Billing of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The Justice Department announced today that Healogics, Inc. has agreed to pay up to $22.51 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing wound care centers to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary and unreasonable hyperbaric oxygen ("HBO") therapy. Healogics, a Florida-based company, manages nearly 700 hospital-based wound care centers across the country.

June 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa

Nationwide Wound Services Provider Agrees to Pay Nearly $400,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
Healogics, Inc., a Florida-based provider of wound care services with clinics across the country, agreed to pay $398,162.69 to resolve False Claims Act allegations pertaining to improper coding. Specifically, the United States alleged that, from January 1, 2012, through June 30, 2017, Healogics submitted claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare using Modifier 25 to signify that a separate evaluation and management service was performed on the same date as another procedure when no such separate service was performed.

June 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Firm Agrees to Start Compliance Program and Reimburse the United States for Clients' Medicare Debts
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that a Philadelphia personal injury law firm, Rosenbaum & Associates, and its principal, Jeffrey Rosenbaum, Esq., have entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve allegations that they failed to reimburse the United States for certain Medicare payments the government had previously made to medical providers on behalf of firm clients who sought medical care.

June 15, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty in Compounding Pharmacy Fraud Scheme
A Mississippi-based nurse practitioner pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs including TRICARE, the health care benefit program serving U.S. military, veterans and their respective family members.

June 12, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Another Physician Pleads Guilty in the Montgomery "Pill Mill" Prosecution
Montgomery, Ala. - On Monday, June 11, 2018, a physician, Dr. Willie J. Chester, 65, of Pike Road, Alabama, pleaded guilty in the ongoing "pill mill prosecution" arising out of a now-closed Montgomery medical office, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. That medical practice was known as "Family Practice" and was located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery.

June 11, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Redirections Treatment Owner Charged with Unlawfully Distributing Buprenorphine and Defrauding Medicare and Medicaid
PITTSBURGH, PA - The owner of Redirections Treatment Advocates, LLC, an opioid addiction treatment practice with offices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, has been indicted on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady of the Western District of Pennsylvania and United States Attorney William J. Powell of the Northern District of West Virginia announced today. This indictment is the eleventh in a series of charges filed in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia since Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the formation of the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to target and prosecute individuals that commit opioid-related health care fraud.

June 8, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Signature HealthCARE to Pay More Than $30 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Related to Rehabilitation Therapy
Signature HealthCARE, LLC (Signature), a Louisville, Kentucky based company that owns and operates approximately 115 skilled nursing facilities, including 7 in middle Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for rehabilitation therapy services that were not reasonable, necessary and skilled, the Department of Justice announced today. The settlement also resolves allegations that Signature submitted forged pre-admission certifications of patient need for skilled nursing to the state of Tennessee's Medicaid program. Under the settlement agreements, Signature has agreed to pay more than $30 million. As part of the resolution, the State of Tennessee will receive a portion of the overall settlement.

June 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Alabama

Former Pain Management Doctor Receives 5 Years in Health Care Fraud Case, Ordered to Pay More Than 15 Million Dollars in Restitution
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announces today that Chief United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Rassan M. Tarabein, 58, a former neurologist residing in Fairhope, Alabama, to 60 months imprisonment in a health care fraud case. The judge ordered that Tarabein pay restitution totaling $15,010,682 to six different health care benefit programs, including Medicare and the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The judge also ordered Tarabein to undergo one year of supervised release after finishing his term of imprisonment, and pay a $200 mandatory special assessment.

June 7, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Mississippi Physician Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison for Role in $3 Million Compounding Pharmacy Fraud Scheme
A Biloxi, Mississippi physician was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for his involvement in a $3 million compounding pharmacy fraud scheme.

June 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Former Chief Executive Officer of Health Care Company Charged with Giving Kickbacks to Pill Mill Doctor, Health Care Fraud, and Money Laundering
Montgomery, Ala. - On Thursday, June 7, 2018, a William "Ed" Henry, 47, of Hartselle, Alabama, was arrested on charges stemming from his role in a medical kickback scheme, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.

June 6, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Health Care CEO and Four Physicians Charged in Superseding Indictment in Connection with $200 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Unnecessary Prescription of Controlled Substances and Harmful Injections
A CEO and four physicians were charged today in a superseding indictment as part of an investigation into a $200 million health care fraud scheme that involved a network of Michigan and Ohio pain clinics, laboratories and other medical providers. The superseding indictment returned yesterday charges an additional wire fraud conspiracy, adds an additional count of money laundering, and contains new allegations regarding the distribution of over 4.2 million medically unnecessary dosage units of controlled substances and the administration of medically unnecessary injections that resulted in patient harm.

June 5, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Allegiance Health Management to Pay More Than $1.7 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department announced today that Allegiance Health Management, Inc., (Allegiance), a post-acute healthcare management company based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and four hospitals owned and operated by Allegiance (collectively, the Allegiance Defendants), have agreed to pay more than $1.7 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that the Allegiance Defendants submitted, and caused other hospitals to submit, claims for reimbursement from Medicare for services that were not medically reasonable or necessary.

June 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Operators Of A Mental Health Provider Indicted On Health Care Fraud And Tax Evasion Charges
A federal grand jury sitting in Greensboro, North Carolina returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging the operators of a mental health provider with multiple crimes related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.

June 4, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Fort Myers Pain Management Physician Pleads Guilty To Healthcare Offenses And Agrees To $2.8 Million Civil Settlement With The United States
Fort Myers, FL - Dr. Michael Frey, M.D. (46, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to receive healthcare kickbacks. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each count. Dr. Frey also faces a term of supervised release of up to three years for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

June 1, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Nurse Practitioners Arrested And Indicted For Unlawful Distribution Of Prescription Opioids And Health Care Fraud
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Three Southern Nevada residents, including two nurse practitioners, have been arrested and charged in a 29-count indictment for unlawful distribution of prescription opioids and Medicare/Medicaid fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.

May 2018

May 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Tennessee

Middle Tennessee Podiatrist Sentenced To Federal Prison For Health Care Fraud Scheme
Dr. John J. Cauthon, 51, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to two years in prison for healthcare fraud, announced Don Cochran, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Cauthon was indicted in October 2015 on seven counts of healthcare fraud and was found guilty on four counts, after a jury trial in September 2017.

May 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Pharmacy owners agree to pay $3.2 million to resolve False Claims case
PHILADELPHIA - The owners of I&L Express Pharmacy in Philadelphia have agreed to pay millions to resolve a False Claims Act case against them, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today.

May 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

New York Doctor Sentenced To Four Years In Prison For Taking Bribes In Test-Referral Scheme With New Jersey Clinical Lab
NEWARK, N.J. - A doctor practicing in Staten Island, New York, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, New Jersey, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

May 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Mental Health Counselor Indicted for Health Care Fraud and Perjury Offenses Stemming from Montgomery "Pill Mill"
Montgomery, Alabama - On Tuesday, May 29, 2018, a licensed professional counselor was arrested after being indicted by a federal grand jury for her role in working at a Montgomery "pill mill," announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. The defendant arrested was Johnnie Chaisson Sanders, 48, of Wetumpka.

May 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina

United States Obtains $114 Million Judgement Against Three Individuals for Paying Kickbacks for Laboratory Referrals and Causing Claims for Medically Unnecessary Tests
WASHINGTON - On May 23, 2018, the United States District Court in the District of South Carolina entered judgment for the United States in the amounts of $111,109,655.30 against defendants LaTonya Mallory, Floyd Calhoun Dent III and Robert Bradford Johnson, and for an additional $3,039,006.56 against Johnson and Dent, the Department of Justice announced today. The judgment follows the January 31, 2018, jury verdict finding the three individuals liable for violating the False Claims Act (FCA) by paying remuneration to physicians in exchange for patient referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and causing two laboratories to bill federal health care programs for medically unnecessary testing.

May 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Minnesota

Walmart, Sam's Club To Pay $825,000 To Resolve Fraud Allegations Concerning Auto Refilling Medicaid Prescriptions
United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker and Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson today announced that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Sam's West, Inc. (d/b/a Sam's Club) have agreed to pay a total of $825,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act and Minnesota False Claims Act by submitting claims for payment to Minnesota's Medicaid program in violation of rules prohibiting Medicaid prescriptions from being automatically refilled.

May 29, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Obtains $114 Million Judgment Against Three Individuals For Paying Kickbacks for Laboratory Referrals and Causing Claims for Medically Unnecessary Tests
WASHINGTON - On May 23, 2018, the United States District Court in the District of South Carolina entered judgment for the United States in the amounts of $111,109,655.30 against defendants LaTonya Mallory, Floyd Calhoun Dent III and Robert Bradford Johnson, and for an additional $3,039,006.56 against Johnson and Dent, the Department of Justice announced today. The judgment follows the January 31, 2018, jury verdict finding the three individuals liable for violating the False Claims Act (FCA) by paying remuneration to physicians in exchange for patient referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and causing two laboratories to bill federal health care programs for medically unnecessary testing.

May 25, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Doctor Convicted in $8.9 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found a physician guilty today for her role in a scheme involving approximately $8.9 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care and other physician services that were procured through the payment of kickbacks, were not medically necessary, not actually provided or, in some cases, were provided by the defendant, who was not a licensed physician during the conspiracy.

May 24, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Drug Maker Pfizer Agrees to Pay $23.85 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability for Paying Kickbacks
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer, Inc. (Pfizer), based in New York, NY, has agreed to pay $23.85 million to resolve claims that it used a foundation as a conduit to pay the copays of Medicare patients taking three Pfizer drugs, in violation of the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced today.

May 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Torrington Man Involved in Medicaid Fraud Scheme is Sentenced
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MAURICE SHARPE, 46, of Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to five years of probation for committing health care fraud.

May 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York

Investigation Targets Medicaid Transportation Fraud in the North Country
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Twelve people were arrested this week as part of a federal and state investigation into Medicaid fraud allegedly committed by the owners and operators of medical transportation companies based in Essex County.

May 21, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York

Oncologist and Office Manager Sentenced in Connection with Administering Unapproved, Foreign Drugs
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Vincent Koh, M.D., age 73, and his wife and office manager Milly Koh, age 64, of Poughkeepsie, New York, were sentenced today to pay fines of $7,500 and $3,000, respectively, for receiving in interstate commerce and delivering misbranded drugs, a misdemeanor.

May 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney Northern District of New York

Kinderhook Podiatrist Sentenced for Health Care Fraud
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Perrin D. Edwards, D.P.M., age 65, of Kinderhook, New York, was sentenced today to 1 year of probation, 50 hours of community service, and a $5,000 fine for committing health care fraud.

May 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida

Health and Palliative Services of the Treasure Coast, Inc., The Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie, Inc., and Hospice of the Treasure Coast, Inc. Paid $2.5 Million to Settle False Claims Allegations
Health and Palliative Services of the Treasure Coast, Inc., The Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie, Inc., and Hospice of the Treasure Coast, Inc. have paid $2.5 million to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare for hospice patients.

May 17, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Michigan Home Health Agency Owner Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Charges for Role in $8 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
The owner of a Michigan home health agency pleaded guilty today to fraud charges for his role in a scheme involving approximately $8 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health services that were procured through the payment of illegal kickbacks.

May 17, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Community Renewal Team Pays $362,000 to Settle False Claims Acts Allegations
United States Attorney John H. Durham and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that COMMUNITY RENEWAL TEAM and its president, LENA RODRIGUEZ, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States and the State of Connecticut and have paid $362,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

May 17, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Medical Supply Executive Sentenced To 36 Months In Prison For Her Role In A $30 Million Scheme To Defraud Medicare And Medicaid
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARINA BURMAN was sentenced today to 36 months in prison. BURMAN, the former president of a medical supply company, submitted approximately $3.4 million in fraudulent bills to the New York State Medicaid Program, falsely claiming to have dispensed adult diapers and other medical supplies that were not medically necessary and, in many cases, not dispensed at all. BURMAN was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

May 17 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Five Former Salesmen For Morris County Clinical Lab Sentenced For Bribing Doctors In $100 Million Test Referral Scheme
NEWARK, N.J. - Five individuals were sentenced today for bribing doctors in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, New Jersey, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

May 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa

Dubuque Clinic Agrees to Pay $40,000 in False Claims Penalties To Resolve Allegations Related to 8 Controlled Substance Refills
Crescent Community Health Center, a non-profit health center in Dubuque, Iowa, agreed to pay $40,000 in penalties to resolve False Claims Act allegations that, during a five month period in 2013, Crescent employees who lacked the requisite credentials or authority issued 8 controlled substance refills that were paid for by Medicare or Medicaid. The Center also agreed to pay $7,503.80 to resolve allegations that, during this same period, Crescent employees improperly issued 71 prescriptions or prescription refills for non-controlled substances that were eventually paid for by Medicare or Medicaid.

May 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Illinois

Carbondale Woman Sentenced On Healthcare Fraud Charges
On May 16, 2018, Stephanie L. Patterson, of Carbondale, Illinois, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Benton, Illinois on the charge that she engaged in a scheme to steal from a health care program. The district court sentenced Patterson to five years of probation with the first four months to be served in home detention. She was also ordered to pay $81,131.20 in restitution to the Home Services Program and a $100.00 special assessment.

May 15, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

United States Intervenes in False Claims Act Lawsuits Accusing Insys Therapeutics of Paying Kickbacks and Engaging in Other Unlawful Practices to Promote Subsys, A Powerful Opioid Painkiller
On April 13, 2018, the United States intervened in five lawsuits accusing Insys Therapeutics Inc., of violating the False Claims Act in connection with the marketing of Subsys, an opioid painkiller manufactured and sold by Insys, the Department of Justice announced today. Subsys is a sublingual spray form of fentanyl, a powerful, but highly addictive, opioid painkiller. In 2012, Subsys was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of persistent breakthrough pain in adult cancer patients who are already receiving, and tolerant to, around-the-clock opioid therapy.

May 15, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Physician, Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Plead Guilty in Montgomery "Pill Mill" Case
Montgomery, Alabama - During the past few weeks, three more health care providers have pleaded guilty in the ongoing "pill mill" prosecution arising out of a now-closed Montgomery medical office, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. That medical practice was known as "Family Practice" and was located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. In November of last year, the practice's owner, Dr. Gilberto Sanchez, pleaded guilty to drug distribution, health care fraud, and money laundering charges. The details of each new guilty plea are as follows.

May 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Ellington Psychiatrist and Mental Health Clinic Pay Over $800,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
United States Attorney John H. Durham and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that DR. ERUM SHAHAB and WAIRE, LLC, doing business as ELLINGTON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ("EBH"), have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $805,071 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

May 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Psychiatrist Admits Signing Phony Medical Records To Deceive State Inspectors
CAMDEN, N.J. - The psychiatrist of a nonprofit mental health services provider for Camden's poorest residents today admitted signing fraudulent treatment plans meant to mislead New Jersey Medicaid inspectors, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

May 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

United States Reaches $125,000 Civil Settlement
St. Louis, Missouri: The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced today that the United States, Foot Healers Holdings - St. Louis and its subsidiaries (Foot Healers) reached a civil settlement that will resolve the United States' claims against Foot Healers under the False Claims Act for knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for podiatry services. According to the United States' allegations, from March 1, 2010 through July 31, 2016, Foot Healers submitted false claims to Medicare by using improper modifiers that caused Medicare to pay for improper claims and by submitting claims for payment which falsely indicated a medically necessary toenail debridement was provided when the service actually provided was a routine nail trimming not covered by Medicare. As part of the civil settlement, Foot Healers will repay the United States $125,000.

May 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

United States Reaches Settlement With Riverdale Internist To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Medically Unnecessary Procedures
Baltimore, Maryland - Sureshkumar Muttath, M.D., an internist in Riverdale, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $1,526,038 to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to the United States for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and neurobehavioral status exams.

May 10, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Ohio Hospital Operator Agrees to Pay United States $14.25 Million to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising From Improper Payments to Physicians
WASHINGTON - Mercy Health, a nonprofit organization based in Cincinnati that operates healthcare facilities in Ohio and Kentucky, has agreed to pay the United States $14,250,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced today.

May 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia

Medical assistant resolves false claims act allegations
ATLANTA - Robert Gennaro, a medical assistant, has agreed to be excluded from federal healthcare programs for a period of 10 years to resolve allegations that he impersonated a physician when providing remote surgical monitoring services, causing the submission of false claims to the federal government. The effect of the exclusion is federal healthcare programs will not make any payments to Gennaro, or anyone who employs him, for any services provided by Gennaro.

May 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Doctor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Taking Bribes in Test-Referral Scheme with New Jersey Clinical Lab
NEWARK, N.J. - A Monmouth County doctor with practices in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and Staten Island, New York, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, New Jersey, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

May 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Pennsylvania

Former Registered Nurse Sentenced To Six Years' Imprisonment For Health Care Fraud
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Joan Cicchiello, age 67, of Annville and Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 9, 2018, to 72 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, II on Health Care Fraud related charges.

May 9, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Windsor Woman Who Defrauded Medicaid Program is Sentenced
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Chief State's Attorney Kevin T. Kane today announced that BEVERLY COKER, 70, of Windsor, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to five years of probation for defrauding Connecticut's Medicaid program.

May 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Hampshire

Resident of Webster, New York Sentenced for Health Care Fraud
CONCORD - Judith Morale (formerly known as Judith Remo), 55, of Webster, New York, was sentenced to three years of probation following her conviction for health care fraud, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

May 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Pennsylvania

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital Agrees To Settle Over Billing Allegations
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on May 4, 2018, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, agreed to pay the United States $373,547.54 to settle allegations from two self-disclosures by Charles Cole to the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (OIG) through the OIG's Provider Self-Disclosure Protocol.

May 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Three Physicians Agree to Pay Total of $700,000 to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising from Improper Financial Relationship with Drug Testing Laboratory
PITTSBURGH - Dr. Robert Fetchero, D.O., of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, Dr. Sridhar Pinnamaneni, M.D., of Windermere, Florida, and Dr. Thelma Green-Mack, M.D., of Zionsville, Indiana, separately agreed to settle allegations that they each received improper payments for referrals from Greensburg, Pennsylvania drug testing lab Universal Oral Fluid Laboratories, and caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare for drug testing services, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. These settlements follow the earlier guilty plea on related charges of Dr. John H. Johnson of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, who had served as UOFL's medical director.

May 4, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Iowa

Des Moines Durable Medical Equipment Company to Pay $189,061.90 to Resolve Overbilling Allegations Related to Medicaid Recipients
DES MOINES, Iowa - Catholic Health Initiatives-Health at Home d/b/a Mercy Respiratory Care and Med Supply (CHI-MRC), a supplier of durable medical equipment in Des Moines, has agreed to pay $189,061.90 to the United States to resolve allegations it overbilled the State of Iowa's Medicaid program for purchases of durable medical equipment.

May 3, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Five Pennsylvania Physicians Charged with Unlawfully Distributing Buprenorphine and Defrauding Medicare and Medicaid
Five physicians of Redirections Treatment Advocates, LLC, an opioid addiction treatment practice with offices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, have been indicted on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady of the Western District of Pennsylvania and United States Attorney William J. Powell of the Northern District of West Virginia announced today. These indictments represent the latest in a series of charges filed since Attorney General Sessions announced the formation of the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to target and prosecute individuals that commit opioid-related health care fraud.

May 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

Masstech, Richard Lee, And Arnold Lee To Pay U.S. $1.9 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Small Business Innovation Research Awards
Baltimore, Maryland - Columbia-based MassTech, Inc., its former Chief Executive Officer, Arnold Lee, and its former Chief Financial Officer, Richard Lee, have agreed to pay the United States $1.9 million to resolve allegations that MassTech falsely certified it was a small business concern in order to obtain Small Business Innovation Research ("SBIR") awards.

May 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Former UPMC Radiologist Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Unlawfully Prescribing Vicodin
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former radiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center waived indictment and pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

May 2, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Southern Texas Patient Recruiter Convicted in $3.6 Million Home Health Care Fraud Scheme
A federal jury found Mercy O. Ainabe, a patient recruiter for Texas Tender Care, guilty today for her role in a $3.6 million Medicare fraud scheme involving fraudulent claims for home health services.

May 2, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of North Carolina

Eastern Carolina Behavioral Health CEO Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Expansive Multistate Healthcare Fraud
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that yesterday afternoon in federal court, SHEPHARD LEE SPRUILL, 47, of Greenville, North Carolina, was sentenced to 96 months in prison on the charge of Health Care Fraud Conspiracy, and 60 months in prison for Perjury, to be served concurrently. Spruill was also ordered to make restitution in the total amount of $5,998,874.86, payable to the North Carolina Medicaid Program, the South Carolina Medicaid Program, and another victim of the scheme. Spruill was further ordered to serve a three year term of supervised release, and to forfeit an additional $939,989.50 in criminal proceeds. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Spruill is also banned from participation in Federal healthcare benefit programs for life.

May 1, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maine

Lewiston-Auburn Men Indicted for Health Care Fraud
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today that a federal Grand Jury sitting in Portland handed down an indictment charging Abdirashid Ahmed, 38, of Lewiston and Garat Osman, 32, of Auburn, with health care fraud involving the MaineCare program and soliciting and receiving health care kickbacks from May 2015 through December 2017.

April 2018

April 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts

Springfield Doctor Convicted by Jury of Illegally Sharing Patient Medical Files
BOSTON - A Springfield gynecologist was convicted today in connection with allowing a pharmaceutical sales representative to access patient records and lying to federal investigators.

April 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Substance Abuse Treatment Providers Pay More Than $1.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
United States Attorney John H. Durham and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that NEW ERA REHABILITATION CENTER, DR. EBENEZER KOLADE and DR. CHRISTINA KOLADE have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $1,378,533 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

April 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Cardiovascular And Thoracic Surgeons Of Nevada Inc. Agrees To Pay $1.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of Nevada, Inc. (CTS), a Las Vegas medical practice whose principal physician is Dr. Bashir Chowdhry, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to the United States to resolve allegations relating to its potential liability under the civil False Claims Act.

April 26, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Owner of Florida Pharmacy Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for $100 Million Compounding Pharmacy Fraud Scheme
The president and owner of a Florida pharmacy that was at the center of a massive compounding pharmacy fraud scheme, which impacted private insurance companies, Medicare and TRICARE, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison and ordered to pay $54 million in restitution for his role in the scheme. Six other individuals have previously been sentenced in connection to the scheme, and another is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, April 30. Various real properties, cars and a 50-foot boat were forfeited as part of the sentencings.

April 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Ohio

Athens County Home Health Care Agency Owner Sentenced for Committing $2M Fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Cheryl McGrath, 50, of Guysville, Ohio, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 36 months in prison for committing health care fraud and willful failure to pay over tax.

April 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

Waldorf Man Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison For Running Oxycodone Pill Mill
Baltimore, Maryland - On April 23, 2018, United States District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Thomas Dalton, age 31, of Waldorf, Maryland to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone.

April 20, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Miami Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Role in $10 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Miami, Florida man was sentenced to 97 months in prison today for his role in an approximately $10 million health care fraud scheme involving a now-defunct home health clinic and two sham physical rehabilitation clinics located in Miami.

April 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

New York City Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty To Committing $8.5 Million Fraud On Medicare And Medicaid
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SAJID JAVED, an owner and operator of nine different pharmacies in the New York City area, pled guilty today to participating in a health care fraud scheme that used his pharmacies to submit more than $8.5 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid. JAVED was arrested in 2016 as part of an unprecedented nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, resulting in criminal and civil charges against more than 300 individuals for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving approximately $900 million in false billings. JAVED pled guilty in Manhattan federal court today before the Honorable Vernon S. Broderick.

April 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Connecticut

Bristol Woman Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Medicaid Program
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Chief State's Attorney Kevin T. Kane announced that RONNETTE BROWN, 45, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release for defrauding Connecticut's Medicaid program.

April 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Hawaii

Oahu Physical Therapist Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud
HONOLULU - Garrett Okubo, of Honolulu, Hawaii, pled guilty today in federal court to four counts of health care fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1347.

April 17, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Tennessee

Occupational Therapist Owner of TSM Sentenced for Making False and Fraudulent Statements Related to Health Care Benefits
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - On April 16, 2018, Jose Penaranda Tan, 58, of Morristown, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge, to serve 12 months and one day in federal prison. In addition to his prison sentence, Tan must also pay restitution to Medicare, Medicaid (known as TennCare in the state of Tennessee), Cigna, Optum, and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Tennessee in an amount to be determined by Judge Greer.

April 16, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Former Employee of Southern California Ambulance Company Sentenced to Prison for Role in Medicare Fraud Scheme
A former employee of a Southern California ambulance company was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for his role in a scheme that resulted in more than $1.1 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare.

April 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

Allergan To Pay $3.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating To LAP-BAND Bariatric Medical Device
Baltimore, Maryland - New Jersey-based Allergan Inc. has agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that Allergan caused health care providers to submit false claims to Medicare and other federal healthcare programs relating to the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System, a device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight reduction for adult patients with obesity who have failed more conservative weight-reduction alternatives.

April 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Kentucky

London Cardiologist Convicted of Health Care Fraud for Medically Unnecessary Pacemakers
LONDON, Ky. - On April 11, 2018, a federal jury convicted London physician Dr. Anis Chalhoub of health care fraud. The jury returned its guilty verdict after twelve days of trial, during which it heard evidence that Dr. Chalhoub defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurers by implanting medically unnecessary pacemakers in his patients and causing the unnecessary procedures and follow-up care to be billed to health insurance programs.

April 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

MedFast Pharmacist Sentenced to Prison for Misbranded Drug Scheme
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Butler County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year and one day incarceration on his conviction of conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

April 12, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Arizona

Banner Health Agrees to Pay Over $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
PHOENIX - Banner Health has agreed to pay the United States over $18 million to settle allegations that 12 of its hospitals in Arizona and Colorado knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by admitting patients who could have been treated on a less costly outpatient basis, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced today. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health owns and operates 28 acute-care hospitals in multiple states.

April 12, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Four Area Pharmacists, One Doctor, and One Patient Recruiter Charged with Scheme to Bill Insurance for Medications Not Dispensed
An indictment was unsealed today charging Samir Berri, R.Ph.; Anthony Cole, R.Ph.; Shamimur Rahman, R.Ph.; Ghassan Hamka, R.Ph.; Asm Akter Ahmed, M.D.; and Fouzi Ramouni with multiple health care fraud offenses, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today. Berri, Ahmed and Ramouni are also charged with distributing and conspiring to distribute controlled substances (all opioids).

April 10, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Previously Convicted Physician Arrested For Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that SPYROS PANOS, a former orthopedic surgeon, who was previously convicted of health care fraud, was charged with wire fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a scheme in which he assumed the identity of a licensed orthopedic surgeon and obtained over $860,000 in payments for reviewing patient files in Workers Compensation cases. PANOS was arrested this morning at his home in Hopewell Junction, New York, and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court this morning.

April 9, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Two Tennessee Health Care Executives Charged for Role in $4.6 Million Medicare Kickback Scheme
Two Tennessee health care executives were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their alleged participation in a $4.6 million Medicare kickback scheme involving durable medical equipment (DME).

April 9, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Doctor Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Selling Prescriptions of Suboxone and Klonopin
PHILADELPHIA - Dr. Azad Khan, 64, of Villanova, PA, was sentenced to 24 months in prison by the Honorable Lawrence F. Stengel in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A federal jury found Khan guilty on July 25, 2017 of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and two counts of distribution of controlled substances, all arising from Khan's employment at a clinic run by co-defendant Dr. Alan Summers.

April 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

New Orleans-Area Woman Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Possess Oxycodone by Fraud and to Possess With Intent to Distribute Oxycodone on the Black Market
A New Orleans, Louisiana-area woman pleaded guilty today for her participation in a scheme to obtain oxycodone through fraud by creating fictitious prescriptions and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone on the black market.

April 3, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis Doctor and Nurse Practitioner Indicted for Conspiracy and Submitting False Claims
St. Louis, MO - Dr. Brij R. Vaid, 56, and Donna A. Waldo, 57, both of St. Louis County, Missouri, were charged by Indictment with conspiracy to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid regarding "face to face" office visits submitted under Dr. Vaid's personal billing number while he was actually out of town. Dr. Vaid was also charged with six counts of making and presenting false claims to the United States.

March 2018

March 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Pharmacy Owner And Pharmacist Sentenced To 160 Months In Prison For $4.3 Million Pain And Scar Cream Kickback Scheme Against Military Insurance Program
Orlando, FL - The owner of an Orlando-area pharmacy, who was also a licensed pharmacist, was sentenced today for his role in a kickback scheme involving pain and scar creams that resulted in the payment of approximately $4.3 million in false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE. TRICARE provides coverage for active duty military members and their families, as well as retired veterans.

March 29, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Michigan Home Health Agency Assistant Director of Nursing Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Role in $1.6 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
The assistant director of nursing of a Michigan home health agency was sentenced to 36 months in prison today for his role in a scheme involving approximately $1.6 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health services that were procured through the payment of kickbacks, and that were medically unnecessary and not provided.

March 29, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Radiation Therapy Company Agrees to Pay Up to $11.5 Million to Settle Allegations of False Claims and Kickbacks
Texas-based SightLine Health LLC (SightLine), which operates radiation therapy centers throughout the United States, has agreed to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging that it knowingly submitted claims to the Medicare program that violated the Anti Kickback Statute, the Justice Department announced today. Together with Integrated Oncology Network Holdings LLC (ION), which acquired SightLine in 2011, SightLine has agreed to pay the government up to $11.5 million.

March 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia

Orthopaedic and anesthesia providers to pay $3.2 million to settle false claim act allegations
ATLANTA - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia has announced that Georgia Bone & Joint (GBJ), Southern Bone & Joint a/k/a Summit Orthopaedic Surgery Center (Summit Surgery Center), Southern Crescent Anesthesiology, PC (SCA), Sentry Anesthesia Management, LLC (Sentry), and David LaGuardia (LaGuardia) agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle allegations that LaGuardia, Sentry, and SCA provided a free medical director to Summit Surgery Center in order to induce it to choose to perform more procedures at the surgery center rather than in the GBJ office; and that GBJ and LaGuardia caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for prescription drugs purchased outside of the United States and not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

March 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Owners Of Pasco County Marketing Firm Indicted For Paying Healthcare Kickbacks And Money Laundering
Tampa, Florida - An indictment has been unsealed charging Frank V. Monte (38, Valrico) and Kimberley S. Anderson (50, New Port Richey) with one count of conspiracy, five counts of paying healthcare kickbacks, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and three counts of illegal monetary transactions. Monte is also charged with two counts of making false statements. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy count, up to 5 years' imprisonment for each count of paying a kickback, and up to 10 years in federal prison for each money laundering and monetary transaction charge. Monte faces up to 5 years' imprisonment on each false statement charge. The indictment also notifies Monte and Anderson that the United States intends to forfeit cash, vehicles, and real estate, all of which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.

March 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Texas

Radiation Therapy Company Agrees to Pay Up to $11.5 Million to Settle Allegations of False Claims and Kickbacks
DALLAS - Texas-based SightLine Health LLC (SightLine), which operates radiation therapy centers throughout the United States, has agreed to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging that it knowingly submitted claims to the Medicare program that violated the Anti Kickback Statute, the Justice Department announced today. Together with Integrated Oncology Network Holdings LLC (ION), which acquired SightLine in 2011, SightLine has agreed to pay the government up to $11.5 million. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

March 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Hearing Aid Dealer and Hearing Aid Salesman Charged with Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft
An indictment was unsealed today charging Rasko "Ron" Djordjevic and Milija "Mike" Perkovic with health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today. Chang is also charged with health care fraud.

March 28, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

New Orleans Woman Sentenced to Prison for Role in $3.2 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme
A New Orleans, Louisiana woman was sentenced today to 32 months in prison for her involvement in a $3.2 million Medicare fraud and kickback scheme.

March 28, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Ambulance Company to Pay $9 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
Medical Transport LLC, a Virginia Beach-based provider of ambulance services, agreed to pay $9 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for ambulance transports, the Justice Department announced today.

March 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Bergen County, New Jersey, Doctor Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Role In Test-Referral Bribe Scheme With New Jersey Clinical Lab
NEWARK, N.J. - A Bergen County, New Jersey, doctor was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in a test-referral bribe scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, New Jersey, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

March 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Two Behavioral Health Clinic Operators Sentenced To Prison In Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy
Jacksonville, FL - Shawn Thorpe (30) and Ruben McLain (46), both of Winston Salem, North Carolina, have been sentenced to prison for their participation in a conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Thorpe was sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment and McLain was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in federal prison. Thorpe and McLain were also ordered to pay $211,311.20 and $1,159,050.51, respectively, in restitution to their victims.

March 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Optometrist Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison For Health Care Fraud Involving At Least $250,000 In Losses
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Hazelet, New Jersey, was sentenced in federal court for engaging in health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

March 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Doctor Gets Three Years In Prison For Billing Medicare, Other Insurers $3 Million For Therapy Services Performed By Unqualified Personnel
NEWARK, N.J. - A doctor with offices in Paterson, Passaic, and Elizabeth was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for defrauding Medicare and private insurance companies out of $3 million by billing them for over 150,000 physical therapy sessions that were performed by unlicensed and unqualified personnel, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

March 23, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Alere to Pay U.S. $33.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Unreliable Diagnostic Testing Devices
Massachusetts-based medical device manufacturer Alere Inc. and its subsidiary Alere San Diego (Alere) have agreed to pay the United States $33.2 million to resolve allegations that Alere caused hospitals to submit false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs by knowingly selling materially unreliable point-of-care diagnostic testing devices, the Justice Department announced today.

March 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

United States Intervenes In Lawsuit Against Oviedo Company And Local Businessman Alleging Medicare Fraud
Orlando, Florida - The United States filed a civil lawsuit today against Central Medical Systems, LLC (CMS) and Alan Trent Harley alleging that they had falsely billed Medicare for wound care supplies during a six-year period. The complaint alleges that CMS and its owner, Harley, violated the federal False Claims Act by seeking and receiving inflated Medicare payments for more expensive products than had been provided to patients or for products that were never sent.

March 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Hampshire

Two University of New Hampshire Employees Charged with Theft of Government Funds
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that two employees of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) have been charged with stealing money from federal research grants.

March 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Massachusetts

Pain Management Physician Sentenced to Eight Years for Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering
BOSTON - A Dover, Mass., pain management physician was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with his scheme to defraud Medicare and other health care insurers, and then using the proceeds of his illegal activity to support his extravagant lifestyle.

March 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

United States Reaches Settlement With Four Facilities And Two Medical Companies To Resolve Allegations Of Fraudulent Billing In Skilled Nursing Facilities
Baltimore, Maryland - The United States Attorney's Office announced today that it reached an agreement with four skilled nursing facilities and two consulting companies with which they contracted to resolve allegations of fraudulent billing of Medicare for the provision of skilled therapy to Medicare and Tricare beneficiaries. The four skilled nursing facilities and the two consulting companies have agreed to pay a total of $6 million in order to resolve the allegations. Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center agreed to pay the United States $1,272,891.00. GNH, LLC agreed to pay $811,153.36. OPOP, LLC agreed to pay $608,365.02. Riverview SNF, LLC agreed to pay $1,206,590.62. Global Healthcare Services Group, LLC agreed to pay $190,000. GHC Clinical Consultants, LLC agreed to pay $1,810,000.00.

March 19, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

United States Resolves Claims That Philadelphia Cardiologist Billed Medicare For Unnecessary Stent Procedures
PHILADELPHIA - Vidya Banka, M.D., a cardiologist and former director of Pennsylvania Hospital's cardiac catheterization lab, has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve allegations that he improperly submitted Medicare claims for unnecessary cardiac stent procedures.

March 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maryland

United States Reaches Settlement With Maryland Healthcare Providers To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating To In Office Testing
Baltimore, Maryland - The United States Attorney's Office announced today that it has in recent weeks reached settlements with four health care providers to settle claims that they submitted false claims to the United States for services not rendered.

March 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Doctor Charged with Unlawfully Dispensing Vicodin and Defrauding the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan
PITTSBURGH, PA - A Pittsburgh radiologist has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. This indictment is the second in Western Pennsylvania since Attorney General Sessions announced the formation of the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to target and prosecute individuals that commit opioid-related health care fraud.

March 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of New York

Five Manhattan Doctors Indicted For Accepting Bribes And Kickbacks From A Pharmaceutical Company In Exchange For Prescribing Powerful Fentanyl Narcotic
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment in Manhattan federal court charging five Manhattan doctors, GORDON FREEDMAN, JEFFREY GOLDSTEIN, TODD SCHLIFSTEIN, DIALECTI VOUDOURIS, and ALEXANDRU BURDUCEA, with participating in a scheme to receive bribes and kickbacks in the form of fees for sham educational programs ("Speaker Programs") from a pharmaceutical company ("Pharma Company-1") in exchange for prescribing millions of dollars' worth of a potent fentanyl-based spray manufactured by Pharma Company-1 (the "Fentanyl Spray"), among other offenses. FREEDMAN, GOLDSTEIN, SCHLIFSTEIN, VOUDOURIS, and BURDUCEA were arrested this morning. All are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan this afternoon.

March 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Somerset County Man Indicted for Role in $1 Million Medicare Fraud that Deceived Seniors into Unnecessary DNA Tests
NEWARK, N.J. -A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for using the purported non-profit The Good Samaritans of America to defraud the Medicare Program of more than $1 million by convincing hundreds of senior citizens to submit to unnecessary genetic testing, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

March 15, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Missouri

Warren County Doctor Indicted for Illegal Prescriptions of Opioid Narcotic Drugs to Three Women
St. Louis, MO - Philip D. Dean, M.D., 62, of Warrenton, Missouri, was indicted today with eight felony charges for making false statements to Medicare and Medicaid and illegally distributing fentanyl, hydrocodone, and other controlled prescription drugs without a legitimate medical purpose.

March 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Tennessee

Physician Owner of HNC and Wife Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Offenses Involving Prescription Opiate Pain Medication
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - On March 14, 2018, Dr. Abdelrahman Mohamed, 64, and Cecilia Manacsa, 59, both of Morristown, Tennessee, were sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge, to serve 36 months and 16 months respectively in federal prison. In addition to his prison sentence, Mohamed also paid $730,000 in restitution.

March 14, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Three Miami-Area Home Health Agency Owners Charged for Role in Health Care Fraud Scheme
Three Miami, Florida-area home health agency owners were charged in an indictment unsealed yesterday for their alleged participation in a health care fraud scheme involving a now-defunct home health agency in Miami.

March 13, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Los Angeles Dentist Charged in Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Los Angeles, California-based dentist was charged in an indictment unsealed on Monday for his alleged participation in a health care fraud and identity theft scheme.

March 12, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of California

Doctor Allegedly Prescribed Opioids for Dead and Incarcerated People in "Pill Mill" Operation; Doctor and Seven Others Arrested and Charged
SAN DIEGO - Egisto Salerno, a medical doctor, who owns and operates a medical office on El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego, and seven others have been arrested on federal charges stemming from their alleged roles in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute hydrocodone as part of a 'pill mill' operation.

March 9, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Rhode Island

Doctor Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud, Accepting Kickbacks to Prescribe Highly Addictive Version of Fentanyl
PROVIDENCE, RI - Dr. Jerrold N. Rosenberg, 63 of Warren, the operator of a now-defunct pain management practice in Rhode Island, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for committing healthcare fraud and for conspiring to solicit and receive kickbacks in return for prescribing the drug Subsys, a fast-acting, powerful, and highly-addictive version of the opioid drug Fentanyl.

March 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of California

Kmart Corporation Pays $525,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations of Improper Medi-Cal Billings
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kmart Corporation has paid $525,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act when it knowingly submitted claims for reimbursement to California's Medi Cal program that were not supported by applicable diagnosis and documentation requirements, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.

March 7, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida

Florida Dermatologist Agrees to Pay $2.5 Million to Resolve Allegations of Billing Fraud
Tim Ioannides, M.D., a dermatologist and owner of Treasure Coast Dermatology in Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie, Florida has agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare and TRICARE for procedures he did not perform, the United States Attorney's Office announced today. Dr. Ioannides also agreed to operate under an integrity agreement with the Department of Health & Humans Services, Office of Inspector General for 3 years.

March 6, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Iowa

Oelwein Chiropractor and Clinic Agree to Pay Nearly $80,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Free Electrical Stimulation
Bradley Brown, D.C., from Oelwein, Iowa, and his clinic, Brown Chiropractic, P.C., have agreed to pay $79,919 to resolve allegations Brown violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing Medicare and Medicaid for chiropractic adjustments after providing free electrical stimulation to beneficiaries to influence those beneficiaries to receive chiropractic adjustments from Brown. The government alleged that this conduct violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and, in turn, the False Claims Act. The claims at issue were submitted between January 1, 2012, and September 30, 2016.

March 6, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Illinois

Owner of North Suburban Home Health Care Company Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Cash-for-Patients Kickback Scheme
CHICAGO - The owner of a north suburban home health care company has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals.

March 5, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Mississippi

Biloxi Physician Convicted for Role in $3 Million Compounding Pharmacy Fraud Scheme
WASHINGTON - A federal jury found a Biloxi, Mississippi physician guilty Friday for his role in an approximately $3 million compounding pharmacy fraud scheme.

March 1, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Another Doctor and a Nurse Indicted for Participating in the Operation of a Montgomery "Pill Mill"
Montgomery, AL - On Wednesday, February 28, 2018, a physician and nurse were arrested after being indicted in the ongoing investigation and prosecution of a "pill mill" being operated out of a Montgomery, Alabama medical office. The two new defendants in this case are physician Willie J. Chester, Jr., 64, of Pike Road, Alabama, and nurse Stephanie Michelle Ott, 42, of Fairhope, Alabama. Previously charged in this investigation were nurse practitioners Lillian Akwuba and Elizabeth Cronier, physician Julio Delgado, and clerical workers Misty Michelle Fannin, Jacqueline Suzanne Brownfield, and Akash Kumar.

February 2018

February 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida

Owner of Numerous Miami-Area Home Health Agencies Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in $66 Million Medicare Fraud Conspiracy
The owner and operator of numerous Miami, Florida-area home health agencies was sentenced to 240 months in prison today for his role in a $66 million conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program.

February 28, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Tennessee

Married Couple, Son, and Accomplice Convicted of Defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and TriCare
Jackson, TN - Following a three-week trial, a federal jury has convicted a married couple and their son, of health-care fraud offenses that led to millions of dollars lost to federal health care programs. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the convictions today.

February 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Duo Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud and Conspiracy to Solicit and Pay Kickbacks
John Montgomery, 58, of Exton, PA and Alfredo Lopez, M.D., 47, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were indicted on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud and Conspiracy to Solicit and Pay Kickbacks, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants contracted with primary care physicians, chiropractors and podiatrists across the United States to provide nerve conduction testing in the provider's office. Defendants Montgomery and Lopez offered the providers financial incentives to induce them to order nerve conduction tests for patients in their practice, which the defendants provided, and for which they obtained payments from Medicare. According to the indictment, from January 2006 through January 2013, the defendants caused the submission of least approximately $4.1 million of fraudulent claims to Medicare for nerve conduction tests that did not meet Medicare's coverage criteria and established standards of care for such testing. The defendants are alleged to have caused Medicare to incur losses of at least approximately $ 679,214 during the period charged in the indictment.

February 27, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Doctor Sentenced To 48 Months In Prison For Selling Prescriptions Of Suboxone And Klonopin
PHILADELPHIA - Dr. Alan Summers, 79, of Ambler, PA, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the Honorable Lawrence F. Stengel to 48 months in prison, followed by 2 years supervised release. Summers was also ordered to pay $14,000 in restitution, $4.6 million in restitution and a $1700 special assessment.

February 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Florida

Gainesville Physician and Ex-Wife Indicted in Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Erik M. Schabert, 48, a physician, and his ex-wife, Mika Kamissa Harris, 49, both from Gainesville, Florida, have surrendered on a federal indictment charging them with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The indictment also charges Harris with multiple counts of money laundering. The charges were announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

February 26, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Vermont

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Pays $1,655,000 To The United States And State Of Vermont To Resolve Allegations Of False Claims Act Violations
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont announced today that Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Inc. (BMH) has paid $1,655,000 to the United States and the State of Vermont to resolve civil claims that BMH violated the federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. � 3729, and the Vermont False Claims Act, 32 V.S.A. � 630, by knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, false claims for payment to Medicare and Medicaid. The money will be divided between the federal Medicare, federal Medicaid, and Vermont Medicaid programs to which BMH submitted the alleged false claims.

February 23, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Maine

Ambulance Provider and Hospital Agree to Pay $1,425,000 to Settle Ambulance Transportation Claims
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today that North East Mobile Health Services ("North East"), of Scarborough, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the U.S. in which it will pay $825,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act by providing medically unnecessary ambulance transportation. Maine Medical Center ("MMC"), of Portland, also agreed to pay $600,000 pursuant to a separate civil settlement.

February 22, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Miami-Area Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Role in $63 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Miami-area man was sentenced to 60 months in prison today for his role in a $63 million health care fraud scheme involving a now-defunct community mental health center located in Miami that purported to provide partial hospitalization program (PHP) services to individuals suffering from mental illness.

February 22, 2018; District of Puerto Rico

Mi Salud Program Technician Sentenced To Four Years In Prison In Bribery And Health Care Fraud Case
SAN JUAN, P.R. - On February 22, 2018, defendant Karen Curet-Nieves was sentenced to a term of 48 months (four years) of imprisonment, and two years of supervised release term by District Judge Pedro A. Delgado for her participation in a bribery and health care fraud scheme that occurred from approximately July 2014 through October 2015 at the Programa de Asistencia M�dica office in Santurce, Puerto Rico, announced Rosa Emilia Rodr�guez-V�lez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Curet-Nieves was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to the United States Department of Health and Human Services and to complete 100 hours of community service. Curet-Nieves previously entered a guilty plea to three separate counts charging her with bribery, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. �� 666(a)(1)(B), 1347, 1349, and 1028A.

February 22, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Greensburg Drug Lab Owner and Kentucky Psychiatrist Charged in Kickbacks for Referrals Scheme
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., and a resident of Louisville, Ky., were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

February 21, 2018; Louisiana Attorney General

Two Louisiana Women Arrested for Medicaid Welfare Fraud
BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry today announced two more arrests made by his national award-winning Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

February 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Virginia

U.S. Attorney announces 69-count indictment charging owners, managers and physicians associated with Hope Clinic
United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced the unsealing of a 69-count indictment charging a total of 12 individuals with operating a "pill mill." The indictment charges the owners, managers and physicians associated with HOPE Clinic, which operated as a purported pain management clinic in Beckley, Beaver and Charleston, West Virginia, as well as Wytheville, Virginia, and a related company, with conspiring to distribute oxycodone and other Schedule II controlled substances, not for legitimate medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice, from November 2010 to June 2015.

February 20, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of South Carolina

Wellford Woman Sentenced for Forging Prescriptions
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Felicia L. Prysock, age 41, of Wellford, South Carolina, was sentenced to 24 months and one day in prison for Aggravated Identity Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, � 1028A; and Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, � 843(a)(3). Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten presided at the hearing and also ordered restitution to Medicaid of $1,132.12.

February 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Alabama

Social Security Administration Employee and Husband Convicted in Public Benefit Fraud Scheme
Montgomery, Ala. - On Thursday, February 15, 2018, a federal jury found two Montgomery residents guilty of fraud and witness tampering, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. The two defendants were Nakia Palmer, 35, a former employee of the Social Security Administration, and her husband, Nathaniel Palmer, 30. Nakia Palmer was convicted of mail fraud, theft of government property, Social Security benefit fraud, and food stamp fraud. The jury convicted Nathaniel Palmer of mail fraud, theft of government property, and witness tampering. Each defendant was found guilty of all counts in which he or she was charged.

February 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Texas

University of North Texas Health Science Center to Pay $13 Million to Settle Claims Related to Federal Grants
DALLAS - The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) has agreed to pay the United States $13,073,000.00 to settle claims that it inaccurately measured, tracked and paid researchers for effort spent on certain NIH-sponsored research grants, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

February 14, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Montana

Former Chief Financial Officer of Rocky Boy Health Clinic Sentenced to Prison
GREAT FALLS - The United States Attorney's Office announced that on February 14, 2018, U.S. District Judge Brian Morris, sentenced Kathy Ann Sutherland, 61, of Box Elder, Montana, to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for the crime of Wire Fraud. Sutherland must also pay $111,902.50 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.

February 13, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Detroit Doctor Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Role in $10.4 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Detroit, Michigan-area doctor was sentenced to 72 months in prison today for his role in a $10.4 million conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program.

February 13, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Nevada

Las Vegas Doctor Arrested And Charged With 29-Counts Of Unlawful Distribution Of Fentanyl And Health Care Fraud
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A pain management doctor practicing in Las Vegas was arrested today and charged with 29-counts of unlawful distribution of fentanyl and for committing health care fraud, announced Attorney General Jeff Sessions, U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson of the District of Nevada, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dan Neill for the DEA's Las Vegas field office, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI's Las Vegas Division, and Special Agent in Charge Christian J. Schrank for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office Los Angeles Region.

February 12, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Southern District of Florida

Broward Doctor and Staff Arrested for Running a Pill Mill
Dr. Andres Mencia, 64, of Ft. Lauderdale, Oscar Luis Ventura-Rodriguez, 41, of Ft. Lauderdale, Nadira Sampath-Grant, 51, of Margate, and John Mensah, 50, of Miami, were arrested for their involvement in a scheme where they billed Medicare and Medicaid for medical consultations during which in actuality, they issued prescriptions for opioids and other drugs in exchange for cash payments, in violation of 21 U.S.C. � 846 and 841(a)(1), 18 U.S.C. � 2, 18 U.S.C. � 1347 and 18 U.S.C. � 1349.

February 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Minnesota

Health Care Business Owners Sentenced To Prison For Multi-Million Dollar Fraud And Tax Conspiracy
United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced the sentencing of three defendants for their involvement in a years-long, multi-million dollar heath care fraud and tax conspiracy. THURLEE BELFREY, 52, ROYLEE BELFREY, 52, and LANORE BELFREY, 43, each entered guilty pleas on September 14, 2017, and were sentenced yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery in Minneapolis, Minn.

February 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Pennsylvania

Hospice Company and Owner Agree to Pay $1.24 Million to Settle Two False Claims Act Whistleblower Lawsuits
PITTSBURGH - A privately owned for-profit hospice company and its owner and Chief Executive Officer agreed to pay the United States $1,240,000 to resolve allegations that the company had fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for hospice services for patients who were ineligible for hospice, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

February 8, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of New York

Queensbury Oncologist and Spouse to Pay $500,000 for Submitting False Claims to Medicare for the Administration of Unapproved Cancer Drugs
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Dr. Vincent Koh and his wife and office manager, Milly Koh, have agreed to pay $500,000 for violating the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for unapproved chemotherapy drugs, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith. On November 20, 2017, the Kohs pled guilty to receiving and delivering misbranded drugs, a misdemeanor, and are scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2018 by United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart.

February 7, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

New York Doctor Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud
A New York surgeon who practiced at hospitals in Brooklyn and Long Island was sentenced today to 156 months in prison for his role in a scheme that involved the submission of millions of dollars in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare.

February 6, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Former Doctor Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Illegally Prescribing Opiates and Committing Health Care Fraud
Rodney Moret of Madison Heights, Michigan was sentenced today to 75 months' imprisonment for participating in conspiracies to distribute prescription pills illegally and to defraud Medicare, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced. His crimes include over $15 million of prescriptions drugs, and an additional $6 million in health care fraud.

February 5, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Kentucky

Bowling Green Physician Guilty Of Conspiring To Unlawfully Distribute And Dispense Controlled Substances And Health Care Fraud
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman today announced the guilty plea by former Warren County, Kentucky, physician Charles Fred Gott to multiple charges of unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances and health care fraud, in United States District Court, before United States District Judge Greg N. Stivers.

February 2, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Tennessee

Memphis Operator, LLC d/b/a Spring Gate Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center will pay $500,000 to the United States and the State of Tennessee for services rendered to residents of Spring Gate that were materially substandard and worthless
Memphis, TN - Memphis Operator, LLC d/b/a Spring Gate Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center will pay $500,000 to the United States and the State of Tennessee to resolve allegations of false claims to Medicare and Tenncare for services rendered to residents of Spring Gate that were materially substandard, worthless and were provided in violation of certain essential requirements that the United States expects skilled nursing facilities to meet.

January 2018

January 31, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District New York

Brooklyn-Based Home Health Care Service and Its President Agree to Pay Over $6.4 Million to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Improper Billing Practices
Home Family Care, Inc. (HFC), a Brooklyn-based company that provides home health care services, and Alexander Kiselev, the co-owner and President of HFC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement under which they have agreed to pay $6,415,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts by falsely billing Medicaid for home health care services that HFC did not provide to Medicaid recipients. HFC's former Vice President, Michael Gurevich, entered into a separate settlement regarding the same allegations. The settlement agreements were approved by United States District Judge Sterling Johnson, Jr.

January 30, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Middle District of Florida

Tampa's Largest Ambulance Providers Agree To Pay $5.5 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Medically Unnecessary Ambulance Transports
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that AmeriCare Ambulance Service, Inc. and its sister company, AmeriCare ALS, Inc. (collectively, AmeriCare), have agreed to pay approximately $5.5 million to resolve allegations that they defrauded Medicare by billing for medically unnecessary ambulance transportation services.

January 29, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of Delaware

United States Obtains $16.2 Million Judgment Against MRI Provider For Submitting False Claims
Wilmington, Del. - David C. Weiss, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware entered judgment in the amount of $16,223,091.38 against Orthopaedic and Neuro Imaging LLC (ONI) for submitting false claims for Medicare reimbursement. Under the terms of the judgment, ONI's owner, Richard Pfarr, is jointly and severally liable for $6,125,947.13.

January 25, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Texas

Laboratory and Owner of Lab Management Services Company to Pay $3.77 Million to Resolve Kickback and Medical Necessity Claims
DALLAS - Primex Clinical Laboratories, LLC has agreed to pay $3,500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks in exchange for laboratory referrals for patient pharmacogenetic testing. In a related settlement, Mitch Edland, the Chief Executive Officer and owner of DNA Stat, LLC, has agreed to pay $270,000 to resolve similar allegations. Both settlements were announced today by U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

January 24, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Tennessee Chiropractor Pays More Than $1.45 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
A Lenior City, Tennessee, chiropractor has paid $1.45 million, plus interest, to resolve False Claims Act violations, announced U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee. The settlement also calls for a Cookeville, Tennessee, pain clinic nurse practitioner to pay $32,000 and surrender her DEA registration to settle allegations that she violated the Controlled Substances Act.

January 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Ohio

Moreland Hills physicians indicted on charges of performing unnecessary medical tests and procedures, overbilling insurance providers and illegally distributing opioids and other drugs
A Moreland Hills couple was charged in a 24-count indictment with ordering and performing unnecessary tests and procedures to defraud insurance providers, as well as illegally distributing opioids and other drugs, law enforcement officials said.

January 24, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Pharmacy Employee Charged In $1.5 Million Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
NEWARK, N.J. - A Marlboro, New Jersey, man was charged today for his role in a conspiracy to falsely bill public and private insurance providers for medications that were never dispensed to patients, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

January 23, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Two California Urologists Agree to Pay More than $1 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Radiation Therapy Referrals
Drs. Aytac Apaydin and Stephen Worsham, urologists based in Northern California, will pay $1.085 million to resolve allegations that they submitted and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) that was referred and billed in violation of the physician self-referral law (commonly known as the "Stark Law") and the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Department of Justice announced. Drs. Apaydin and Worsham own and operate Salinas Valley Urology Associates (SVUA) in Salinas, California. They also owned Advance Radiation Oncology Center (AROC), located in Salinas, California, which dissolved in 2016. IGRT is used to treat patients who are diagnosed with cancer, including prostate cancer patients.

January 19, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Scripps Health to Pay $1.5 Million to Settle Claims for Services Rendered by Unauthorized Physical Therapists
Scripps Health (Scripps), a health care system based in San Diego, California, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by charging federal health care programs for physical therapy services that were rendered by therapists who did not have billing privileges for these programs and were not supervised by an authorized provider, the Justice Department announced today.

January 18, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Michigan Doctor Sentenced to Prison for $1.7 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
A Detroit, Michigan-area doctor was sentenced to 24 months in prison today for his role in a $1.7 million health care fraud scheme that involved billing Medicare for physician home visits that were medically unnecessary and/or were billed under unwarranted treatment codes that resulted in inappropriately high payments.

January 18, 2018; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey

Morris County, New Jersey, Doctor Admits Illegally Prescribing Oxycodone And Defrauding Medicare, Medicaid Out Of $30,000
NEWARK, N.J. - A Long Valley, New Jersey, man today admitted writing illegal prescriptions for oxycodone and conspiring to bill Medicare and Medicaid for certain allergy tests without performing the required patient examinations, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

January 16, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of Georgia

Eye care provider convicted of Medicare and Medicaid fraud
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Matilda Lynn Prince has been convicted by a federal jury of twenty-nine counts of health care fraud for filing fraudulent claims with Medicare and the Georgia Medicaid program for optometry and ophthalmology services that were never provided to patients.

January 10, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Texas Mayor and Owners of Health Care Company Charged With Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering and Obstruction
Four individuals, including a Texas mayor who was a licensed physician and medical director, and three owners of a health care company, were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their roles in a $150 million health care fraud and money laundering scheme. Three of the defendants were also charged with counts relating to obstructing justice and providing false statements.

January 10, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

Dental Management Company Benevis and Its Affiliated Kool Smiles Dental Clinics to Pay $23.9 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary Pediatric Dental Services
The Justice Department announced today that it has settled False Claims Act allegations against dental management company Benevis LLC (formerly known as NCDR LLC) and more than 130 of its affiliated Kool Smiles dental clinics for which Benevis provides business management and administrative services. Under the agreement, Benevis and the Kool Smiles clinics will pay the United States and participating states a total of $23.9 million, plus interest, to resolve allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims for payment to state Medicaid programs for medically unnecessary dental services performed on children insured by Medicaid.

January 9, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Eastern District of Michigan

Livonia Doctor and Patient Recruiters Charged in $18 Million Illegal Distribution of Prescription Drugs and Health Care Fraud Scheme
An indictment was unsealed today charging Dr. Zongli Chang, M.D. and seven other individuals with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today. Chang is also charged with health care fraud.

January 9, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Northern District of West Virginia

Two West Virginia physicians and a business partner indicted for illegally distributing drugs
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Two physicians operating offices in West Virginia, along with a business partner, were indicted by a grand jury today on charges of illegally distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

January 9, 2018; U.S. Attorney; Western District of Virginia

Danville Doctor Sentenced on Healthcare Fraud, Tax Evasion Charges
Danville, VIRGINIA - A Danville doctor, who billed various insurers for services he never administered to patients, even after he was warned about the practice, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Danville on healthcare fraud and tax evasion charges, United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.

January 8, 2017; U.S. Attorney; District of Wyoming

Powell, Wyoming Psychologist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Health Care Fraud
Gibson Buckley Condie, 57, of Powell, Wyoming, was sentenced on January 8, 2018, to serve three years in prison for felony health care fraud involving mental health services falsely billed to Wyoming Medicaid, announced United States Attorney Mark A. Klaassen. Condie was also ordered to pay approximately $2.28 million in restitution to the Wyoming Department of Health and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and forfeit certain assets traceable to the proceeds of his fraud.

January 4, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice

New Orleans Area Woman Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Prison for Role in Approximately $2 Million Home Health Kickback and Identity Theft Scheme
A New Orleans woman was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for her involvement in a $2 million home health kickback scheme carried out through a New Orleans area home health agency.

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