Sixteen Defendants Have Been Charged to Date in Connection
with the Conspiracy
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.
Arlinda Moriarty, Daynelle Dickens, Julie Wilson, Tamika
Adams, Tony Brown, Terry Adams, Terra Dean, Tionne Street, Keith Scoggins and
Larita Walls, all residing in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along with
Larita Walls, a resident of South Carolina, and Luis Columbie-Abrew, a resident
of Georgia, are charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit health care
fraud and health care fraud. Moriarty, Dickens, Wilson and Tamika Adams are
also charged with one count of concealing material facts in relation to a
health care matter. In addition, Moriarty, Tamika Adams and Columbie-Abrew each
are charged with multiple counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to the Indictment, between January 2011 and April
2017, home health care companies owned and operated by the conspirators
received more than $87,000,000 in Medicaid payments. During that time, all 12
of the defendants, along with other individuals, participated in a wide-ranging
criminal conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program which resulted
in the payment of millions of dollars in illegal Medicaid payments. The
Indictment sets forth dozens of fraudulent acts by the defendants, including
making false claims for services that were never provided, creating fake
employees, improperly using consumers’ personal identifying information, and
falsifying documentation during state audits of the companies. In some
instances, the Indictment alleges that the defendants were actually working at other
jobs or living out of the area. In other instances, Medicaid claims were
submitted for services for consumers who were actually hospitalized,
incarcerated, or deceased.
"Home health care programs are critical to the ability
of patients with serious physical limitations, especially the elderly, to
receive the care they need while remaining independent. Those who provide home
health care are expected to deliver services honestly," said U.S. Attorney
Brady. "When criminals cheat and steal from these programs, they not only
steal from the taxpayers, but they steal from the most vulnerable members of
our community."
"Health care fraud diverts taxpayer dollars and lines
the pockets of dishonest health care providers," said FBI Special Agent in
Charge Robert Jones. "The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate
these cases and work with our state and federal partners to ensure those who
commit Medicaid fraud are prosecuted."
"Ensuring the safety of Medicaid beneficiaries is of
the upmost importance," said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of
the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services in Philadelphia. "We will continue to work with the U.S.
Attorney’s Office and all our fellow law enforcement partners, to aggressively
investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in HHS programs."
"Criminals who commit Medicaid fraud are stealing tax
dollars that cannot be put to use caring for vulnerable Pennsylvanians who need
assistance," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. "That’s
why my Medicaid Fraud Control section worked closely with U.S. Attorney Brady
and other federal law enforcement partners on this investigation. We’ll
investigate and prosecute health care fraud wherever we find it."
Tommy Coke, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Pittsburgh
Division stated, "This investigation was an excellent example of
partnership among the law enforcement agencies, working together to bring down
a health care fraud conspiracy. I fully commend the hard work and countless
hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved, which resulted
in bringing the individuals in this scheme to justice."
"This indictment is the byproduct of a joint
investigative effort and is the first step toward holding these individuals
accountable for their actions", said Guy Ficco, Special Agent in Charge of
IRS-Criminal Investigation. "The Agents of IRS-CI will continue working
with our fellow law enforcement partners on these types of investigations by
using our financial expertise to trace the flow of money."
In addition to the 12 defendants charged in the Indictment,
four other defendants—Travis Moriarty, Tiffhany Covington, Brenda Lowry and
Autumn Brown—have been charged in separate criminal Informations for their involvement
in the conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
The conspiracy and health care fraud charges each carry a
maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000,
or both. The concealment of material facts in relation to a health care matter
charge carries a maximum total sense of not more than five years in prison, a
fine of $250,000, or both. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a
mandatory sentence of two years in prison to run consecutively with any
sentence imposed on any other charge and a fine of no more than $250,000. Under
the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based
upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of
the defendants.
An indictment is an accusation. The defendants are presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant United States Attorneys Eric G. Olshan and Special
Assistant United States Attorney Edward Song are prosecuting this case on
behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania
Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Internal Revenue
Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
– Office of Inspector General, and United States Postal Inspection Service
conducted the investigation of the defendants.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment