By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
An administrator of a Louisiana pediatric clinic has recently pleaded guilty in a health care fraud case. She faces up to 10 years in prison and over $200,000 in fines. The charges allege embezzling more than $500,000 of the clinic’s money and diverting it to her personal account, from approximately August through September of 2014. She allegedly used this massive amount of money to purchase luxury items for herself including jewelry, custom artwork and a motorcycle. Much of the money came from reimbursement the clinic received from the state’s Medicaid program.
The Investigation.
The administrator was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The investigation disclosed that the administrator used a business credit card to charge approximately half a million dollars in personal charges. To pay the credit card bills, teh administrator used money from the clinic’s bank accounts, which included its Medicaid reimbursements. She maintained her front by hiding the monthly statement from the clinic and disguising payments. Her sentencing is set for September 7, 2017.
Embezzlement by Employees Should Be Reported to Law Enforcement and Prosecuted.
We have been consulted by health care practices who have had employees embezzle from them. These should always be reported to law enforcement and prosecuted. Employees that do this will also falsify claims to Medicare, medicaid and health insurers, multiplying your problems.
To read an article I published on embezzlement by health care employees, click here.
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Investigations of Health Professionals and Providers.
The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and other health providers in accusations of disruptive behavior, Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations, FBI investigations, Medicare investigations, Medicaid investigations and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:
“Louisiana Woman Pleads Guilty in Health Care Fraud Case.” The Eagle. B.H. Media Group Inc., (01 June 2017). Web.
“Louisiana Woman Pleads Guilty in Health Care Fraud Case.” The Washington Times. The Washington Times. (01 June 2017). Web.
McKnight, Laura. “Marrero Pediatric-clinic Administrator Pleads Guilty to over $536K in Health-care Fraud.” NOLA.com. (31 May 2017). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
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