Feb. 28, 2024

Doctor Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Accept Kickbacks in Connection with Fraudulent Telemarketing Scheme Victimizing Medicare and TRICARE Patients in Eastern Washington

Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Thomas Andrew Webster, M.D., age 51, of Sylvania, Ohio, pled guilty to conspiring to accept kickbacks in connection with a fraudulent telemarketing and medical supply scheme throughout Washington and in other states. District Judge Mary K. Dimke accepted Dr. Webster’s guilty plea and set sentencing for June 26, at 1:15 in Spokane, Washington. The Medicare program provides health insurance coverage for elderly and disabled Americans.

Feb. 28, 2024

Former South Florida Pharmacy CEO Sentenced to Prison for Lying to Federal Investigators

On Feb. 23, Patrick Smith, 71, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the former CEO and President of Patient Care America (PCA), a compounding pharmacy located in Broward County, was sentenced to 6 months in prison for lying to federal agents who were investigating PCA for various health care fraud offenses.

Feb. 27, 2024

California Man Charged in $10 Million Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Kickback Conspiracy

A California man was arraigned today on charges relating to his role in a fraud and kickback scheme that caused more than $10 million in losses to Medicare, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced. Adam Wayne Owens, 43, of Riverside, California, is charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.

Feb. 23, 2024

U.S. Army Reserve Colonel Accused of Stealing Thousands in Unearned Military Pay Entitlements

A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, returned an indictment Feb. 21, 2024, charging a U.S. Army Reserve Colonel, formerly of Utah’s 76th Operational Response Command, for his role in defrauding the United States out of more than $60,000 in unearned military pay entitlements.

Feb. 22, 2024

Fourteen Indicted in Pharmaceutical Kickback Case

Ten doctors, two pharmaceutical executives, and two business entities have been charged in a scheme to bribe doctors for prescriptions, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. The fourteen defendants were charged in a two-count indictment filed Wednesday.

Feb. 21, 2024

Florida Man Indicted for Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, Illegal Kickbacks in $97 Million Scheme

A Florida man was charged in an indictment unsealed today for his role in durable medical equipment (DME) kickback scheme that caused $97 million in losses to Medicare, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today.

Feb. 21, 2024

Two Individuals Charged with Non-Fungible Token “Rug Pull” And Laundering Proceeds Through the Solana and Ethereum Blockchains

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Devin Alan Rhoden (24, Pinellas Park), a/k/a “Denny” and “Deviinz,” and Berman Jerry Nowlin, Jr. (20, Huntsville, AL), a/k/a “Repulse” and “Zayous,” with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted, Rhoden and Nowlin each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

Feb. 21, 2024

Florida Man Indicted for Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, Illegal Kickbacks in $97 Million Scheme

A Florida man was charged in an indictment unsealed today for his role in durable medical equipment (DME) kickback scheme that caused $97 million in losses to Medicare, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today. Raheel Naviwala, 35, of Coral Springs, Florida, is charged in a 10-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, three counts of health care fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and three counts of illegal kickbacks.

Feb. 19, 2024

Matanuska Valley Woman charged with healthcare fraud, false statements

A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging a Matanuska Valley woman with healthcare fraud and with making a false statement in a loan application. According to court documents, beginning in January 2017, Melissa Ann Dobbs, 50, allegedly executed and attempted to execute a scheme to defraud healthcare benefit programs. The indictment also alleges that Dobbs made a false statement to a federally insured bank. According to State of Alaska records, Dobbs holds a professional behavior analyst license.

Feb. 16, 2024

Former Delaware Specialty Pharmacy Chief Marketing Officer Agrees to Six-Year Exclusion from Federal Healthcare Programs for Allegations of Kickback and False Claims Act Violations

United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that Carla Sparkler, former Chief Marketing Officer of BioTek reMEDys Inc. (BioTek), located in New Castle, Delaware, has agreed to resolve allegations that she violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to patients and physicians and waiving co-pays to protect BioTek’s revenue stream.