Jan. 3, 2025

Telehealth Company Pays $386,000 to Resolve Allegations of Overbilling for Medicare Telehealth Time

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky announced today that CompreCare Health LLC, and its affiliates, doing business as Meditelecare LLC, agreed to pay $358,514.00 to resolve allegations that Meditelicare billed Medicare for telehealth psychotherapy sessions that did not meet the minimum time requirements. CompreCare Health is a Connecticut business and provided services in at least 17 states including Kentucky.

Jan. 3, 2025

Government Contractor Agrees to Pay $1M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations for Submitting Fraudulent Bids on Prime Vendor Contracts

Johnny Buscema Jr. of New Port Richey, Florida, and his companies, S.A.F.E. Structure Designs, based in Las Vegas, and U.S.A. Manufacturing, based in New Port Richey, have agreed to pay $1,000,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by causing a prime vendor for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to submit fraudulent contract bids to DLA that resulted in Department of Defense (DoD) customers being overcharged for goods and related services purchased under those contracts. The settlement is based on the settling parties’ ability to pay.

Jan. 3, 2025

Booz Allen Agrees to Pay $15.875M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (Booz Allen) has agreed to pay the United States $15,875,000 to resolve allegations that Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Services LLC (BES), a wholly owned subsidiary of Booz Allen, violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting fraudulent claims to the United States in connection with a General Services Administration (GSA) task order to supply computer military training simulators and systems to Department of Defense (DoD) agencies, including the Air Force. Booz Allen, which is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, provides a range of management, consulting and engineering services to the government. BES was an engineering services firm located in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, with offices in Dayton, Ohio, and other locations.

Jan. 2, 2025

Virginia Beach doctor agrees to $625,000 False Claims Act settlement

Dr. Scott Saffold, of Virginia Beach, and his practice, Chesapeake Bay, ENT, P.C. (Chesapeake Bay), located in Belle Haven, have agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a civil fraud case that claimed Dr. Saffold and his medical practice engaged in the routine and systematic practice of falsely billing government health care programs.

Dec. 26, 2024

Southern California-Based Clinics, Laboratory and Their Owners to Pay $10M for False Claims Arising from Kickbacks and Self-Referrals

Mohammad Rasekhi M.D., Sheila Busheri, Southern California Medical Center (SCMC) and R & B Medical Group Inc., doing business as Universal Diagnostic Laboratories (UDL) (collectively, the defendants), have agreed to pay $10 million to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims to Medicare and California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, arising from allegations of paying kickbacks and making self-referrals. The defendants are all based in southern California. Rasekhi is the founder and chief medical officer of SCMC and the co-owner of UDL. Busheri is the chief executive officer of SCMC and the co-owner and chief executive officer of UDL. SCMC is a federally qualified health center that operates six clinics in southern California. UDL is a reference and esoteric laboratory in Southern California.

Dec. 23, 2024

Inform Diagnostics Agrees to Pay $2.9 Million to Resolve Potential False Claims Act Liability for Self-Reported Violations

Inform Diagnostics, Inc. (Inform) has agreed to pay $2.9 million to resolve potential False Claims Act liability arising out of conduct that potentially violated the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), resulting in the submission of false claims for payment to Medicare and other federal health care programs. Inform voluntarily self-disclosed the conduct to the U.S. Attorney’s Office earlier this year.

Dec. 23, 2024

Sartell Woman Pleads Guilty in Bank Fraud Case

A Sartell woman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, Adelle Starin, 40, engaged in a fraud scheme through a Minnesota business she founded and operated called Baby’s on Broadway, which sold baby products and toys. As part of the scheme, Starin submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement to TRICARE, a healthcare program of the U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System. TRICARE paid out many of Starin’s fraudulent claims, but when TRICARE began rejecting those claims, Starin expanded her scheme to bring other sources of revenue into her company.

Dec. 23, 2024

Food City Agrees to Pay over $8M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Opioid Dispensing

K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. doing business as Food City (Food City), a regional grocery store chain headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, has agreed to settle the government’s allegations under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to its dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances. Under the settlement, Food City will pay the United States $8,488,378. Food City will pay an additional $78,621 to the states of Virginia and Kentucky for claims paid to Food City by state Medicaid programs.

Dec. 20, 2024

Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Creating False Military Discharge Form And Using It For Employment Applications And VA Benefits Claim

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Robert David Gulledge (59, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a federal agency. Gulledge faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Dec. 20, 2024

Florida Man Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Violations

A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a scheme to defraud insurance providers for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients. Jeffrey MacEachron, 60, a retired Air Force Colonel and former Inspector General at Hanscom Air Force Base, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to three months in prison, to be followed by 27 months of supervised release subject to home confinement. MacEachron was also ordered to pay $335,098 in restitution and a $5,500 fine. In July 2024, MacEachron pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with one count of health care fraud; aiding and abetting.