14 DAY TRIAL // Authorities arrested 7 individuals suspected of running a highly sophisticated healthcare fraud scheme that earned them close to $375 million (262 million EUR).
A 54-year-old doctor named Jacques Roy, from Rockwall Texas, with the aid of his office manager and five others that owned home health agencies in Texas were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.
Beside Roy, who was also charged with nine counts of substantive healthcare fraud, Cynthia Stiger, Cyprian Akamnonu, Teri Sivis, Wilbert James Veasey Jr., Patricia Akamnonu, and Charity Eleda are also suspected of participating in the plot, each of the last three being charged with three counts of healthcare fraud.
“The conduct charged in this indictment represents the single largest fraud amount orchestrated by one doctor in the history of HEAT and our Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations,” Deputy Attorney General Cole said.
“Thanks to the historic partnerships we’ve built to combat health care fraud, we are sending a clear message: If you victimize American taxpayers, we will track you down and prosecute you.”
The indictment filed in the Northern District of Texas reveals that between January 2006 and November 2011 Roy, who owned Medistat Group Associates P.A., certified or directed the certification of more than 11,000 Medicare beneficiaries.
All the certifications resulted in a bill that totaled $350,000 (245,000 EUR) which Medicare paid, the other $24 million (17 million EUR) being fraudulently billed to Medicaid.
For each count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, the suspects can receive a maximum of 10 years in prison. The three counts of making false statements with which Elida is also charged, each carry a penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Bank accounts, properties and vehicles may be seized from the suspects if they are found guilty.
“Today, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force is taking aim at the largest alleged home health fraud scheme ever committed,” stated Assistant Attorney General Breuer.
“In Dallas, and the eight other Medicare Fraud Strike Force cities, the Criminal Division and our partners in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices will continue to crack down on Medicare fraud, and hold accountable those stealing from the public fisc.”