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WASHINGTON – A Miami-area patient brokerwas sentenced today to 18 months in prison for recruiting Medicarebeneficiaries as part of a $200 million Medicare fraud scheme, the Departmentof Justice, FBI and Department of Health and Human Services announced.
Jean-Luc Veraguas, 51, of Plantation, Fla.,was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frederico A. Moreno in the SouthernDistrict of Florida. In addition to hisprison term, Veraguas was ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution, jointlyand severally with other co-conspirators.
On May 30, 2012, Veraguas pleaded guilty toone count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Veraguas admitted to serving as a patientbroker for American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC) and other health careagencies. ATC operated purported partialhospitalization programs (PHPs) in seven different locations throughout SouthFlorida and Orlando. A PHP is a form of intensive treatment for severe mentalillness.
According to court documents, Veraguasrecruited patients to attend ATC’s PHP program, among others, in exchange forillegal kickbacks. Veraguas admittedthat based on his recruiting efforts, he caused $3.8 million in fraudulentbills to Medicare. Veraguas admitted heknew many of the individuals he recruited did not need the treatment theypurported to have received.
According to court filings, ATC’s owners andoperators paid millions of dollars in kickbacks to owners and operators ofassisted living facilities and halfway houses and to patient brokers inexchange for delivering ineligible patients to ATC. According to court filings, co-conspiratorsfabricated documents in patient files to hide the fact that the patients didnot, in the first instance, qualify for treatment and did not ultimatelyreceive the treatment for which Medicare was billed.
ATC, its management company, MedlinkProfessional Management Group Inc., and various owners, managers, doctors,therapists, patient brokers and marketers of ATC, were charged with varioushealth care fraud, kickback, money laundering and other offenses in twoindictments unsealed on Feb. 15, 2011. ATC, Medlink and more than 20 of the individual defendants charged in thesecases have pleaded guilty or have been convicted at trial.
The sentence was announced by AssistantAttorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division;U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Jeffrey C.Mazanec, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; andSpecial Agent-in-Charge Christopher Dennis of the HHS Office of InspectorGeneral (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami office.
The criminal case is being prosecuted by TrialAttorneys Steven Kim, Robert Zink and Alan Medina of the Criminal Division’sFraud Section. A related civil action isbeing handled by Vanessa I. Reed and Carolyn B. Tapie of the CivilDivision. The case was investigated bythe FBI and HHS-OIG, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud StrikeForce, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S.Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Since its inception in March 2007, theMedicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country,has charged more than 1,330 defendants who have collectively billed theMedicare program for more than $4 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, workingin conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability anddecrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care FraudPrevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to:www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
14 Ağustos 2012 Salı
Use of FBI’s Anti-Piracy Seal Broadened
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Effective today, a new federalregulation governing the FBI’s Anti-Piracy Warning (APW) Seal authorizes use ofthis seal by all U.S. copyright holders, subject to specific conditions. Anyonewishing to use the seal—along with the mandatory authorized warninglanguage—must obtain it directly from the FBI’s public website.
The purpose of the APW Seal is to remindmedia users of the serious consequences of pirating copyrighted works.Copyrighted works can include—but are not limited to—films, audio recordings,electronic media, software, books, photographs, etc. Use of the seal does notindicate that the FBI has reviewed or validated copyright interests in theparticular work and does not provide greater legal protection to the work. Itsimply serves as a reminder of the Bureau’s authority and mission with respectto the protection of intellectual property rights.
Effective today, a new federalregulation governing the FBI’s Anti-Piracy Warning (APW) Seal authorizes use ofthis seal by all U.S. copyright holders, subject to specific conditions. Anyonewishing to use the seal—along with the mandatory authorized warninglanguage—must obtain it directly from the FBI’s public website.The purpose of the APW Seal is to remindmedia users of the serious consequences of pirating copyrighted works.Copyrighted works can include—but are not limited to—films, audio recordings,electronic media, software, books, photographs, etc. Use of the seal does notindicate that the FBI has reviewed or validated copyright interests in theparticular work and does not provide greater legal protection to the work. Itsimply serves as a reminder of the Bureau’s authority and mission with respectto the protection of intellectual property rights.
CBP Air Crew Rescues Missing Mountain Biker
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Tucson, Ariz. – A male U.S. citizen inhis late 50s, reported missing Saturday in the Huachuca Mountains south of FortHuachuca, was rescued by a Black Hawk helicopter crew from CBP’s Office of Airand Marine (OAM).
OAM’s Tucson Air Branch received a callfor assistance from the Naco Border Patrol Station stating they had beencontacted by Fort Huachuca’s military police asking for assistance in locatingthe missing man somewhere in the mountains south of the Army base. The TucsonAir Branch then assembled a Black Hawk helicopter crew with equipment toconduct a possible helicopter rope suspension technique rescue.
The Black Hawk crew departed Tucson at4:25 p.m. and, by 6:20 p.m., spotted the missing biker in the south end ofHuachuca Canyon at an elevation of 6,400 feet. The helicopter attempted to landat the site but was unable due to the terrain. The crew decided a “fast rope”insertion (agents repelling from the helicopter) and short-haul extraction(with rescuer and victim suspended while in flight) would be the best method torescue the man.
An air enforcement agent was thenfast-roped from the aircraft to assess the victim and fit him with an airrescue vest. Meanwhile, the pilot and remaining crew departed to locate a safelanding zone .
After locating a landing zone, the crewreturned to the agent who had finished preparing the man for extraction. TheBlack Hawk then short-hauled the suspended agent and man to the landing zonewhere they loaded into the helicopter. There was a short flight to FortHuachuca where the man was transferred to waiting emergency medical servicepersonnel for transport to the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center where he wastreated for dehydration, tachycardia and hypoglycemia.
According to Arizona Joint Field CommandDirector of Air Operations, Andrew Duff, rescue activity increases during thesummer season.
“This time of year, when thetemperatures in Arizona are the hottest, the deserts and mountains can be veryunforgiving,” he said. “This is the third rescue of a stranded or distressedperson in the last 10 days. Whether it's a U.S. citizen out hiking or anillegal immigrant abandoned by unscrupulous smugglers, OAM has always answeredthe call.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security chargedwith the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at andbetween the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists andterrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Tucson, Ariz. – A male U.S. citizen inhis late 50s, reported missing Saturday in the Huachuca Mountains south of FortHuachuca, was rescued by a Black Hawk helicopter crew from CBP’s Office of Airand Marine (OAM).
OAM’s Tucson Air Branch received a callfor assistance from the Naco Border Patrol Station stating they had beencontacted by Fort Huachuca’s military police asking for assistance in locatingthe missing man somewhere in the mountains south of the Army base. The TucsonAir Branch then assembled a Black Hawk helicopter crew with equipment toconduct a possible helicopter rope suspension technique rescue.
The Black Hawk crew departed Tucson at4:25 p.m. and, by 6:20 p.m., spotted the missing biker in the south end ofHuachuca Canyon at an elevation of 6,400 feet. The helicopter attempted to landat the site but was unable due to the terrain. The crew decided a “fast rope”insertion (agents repelling from the helicopter) and short-haul extraction(with rescuer and victim suspended while in flight) would be the best method torescue the man.
An air enforcement agent was thenfast-roped from the aircraft to assess the victim and fit him with an airrescue vest. Meanwhile, the pilot and remaining crew departed to locate a safelanding zone .
After locating a landing zone, the crewreturned to the agent who had finished preparing the man for extraction. TheBlack Hawk then short-hauled the suspended agent and man to the landing zonewhere they loaded into the helicopter. There was a short flight to FortHuachuca where the man was transferred to waiting emergency medical servicepersonnel for transport to the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center where he wastreated for dehydration, tachycardia and hypoglycemia.
According to Arizona Joint Field CommandDirector of Air Operations, Andrew Duff, rescue activity increases during thesummer season.
“This time of year, when thetemperatures in Arizona are the hottest, the deserts and mountains can be veryunforgiving,” he said. “This is the third rescue of a stranded or distressedperson in the last 10 days. Whether it's a U.S. citizen out hiking or anillegal immigrant abandoned by unscrupulous smugglers, OAM has always answeredthe call.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security chargedwith the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at andbetween the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists andterrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Philadelphia CBP Officers Seize Nearly $53k in Underreported Currency
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Philadelphia – Customs and BorderProtection (CBP) officers seized nearly $53,000 from a Las Vegas-bound Israeliman Sunday after the man violated federal currency reporting regulations.
The man, who was not arrested, declaredpossessing only $5,000, but allegedly showed the CBP officer a wallet withvisibly more currency than $5,000. During the secondary inspection, CBPofficers discovered four additional bundles of U.S. currency in the man’sluggage. Total amount of currency was $53,181 in U.S. dollars. CBP seized$52,681 and returned $500 to the man for humanitarian purposes.
There is no limit to how much currencytravelers can import or export; however federal law requires travelers todeclare amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreigncurrency.
“When it comes to carrying currency, weonly ask that passengers simply be honest with us and make truthfullydeclarations,” said Allan Martocci, CBP Port Director for the Area Port ofPhiladelphia. “There are serious consequences for failing to comply withfederal currency reporting requirements, as this passenger has learned.”
Before inspecting the man’s luggage, CBPofficers explained the federal currency reporting requirement and had thepassenger read the Hebrew-language CBP declaration form. The passengeracknowledged understanding the regulation and wrote on the declaration formthat he possessed $13,000.
CBP officers provided the man withinformation on how to petition for the return of the seized currency, andreleased him to continue his trip.
The passenger arrived from Tel Aviv,Israel around 6 a.m. Sunday.
CBP officers routinely conduct randominspection operations on arriving and departing international flights andintercepts currency, narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products orother illicit items.
Travelers are encouraged visit CBP’sTravel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security chargedwith the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at andbetween the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists andterrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Philadelphia – Customs and BorderProtection (CBP) officers seized nearly $53,000 from a Las Vegas-bound Israeliman Sunday after the man violated federal currency reporting regulations.
The man, who was not arrested, declaredpossessing only $5,000, but allegedly showed the CBP officer a wallet withvisibly more currency than $5,000. During the secondary inspection, CBPofficers discovered four additional bundles of U.S. currency in the man’sluggage. Total amount of currency was $53,181 in U.S. dollars. CBP seized$52,681 and returned $500 to the man for humanitarian purposes.
There is no limit to how much currencytravelers can import or export; however federal law requires travelers todeclare amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreigncurrency.
“When it comes to carrying currency, weonly ask that passengers simply be honest with us and make truthfullydeclarations,” said Allan Martocci, CBP Port Director for the Area Port ofPhiladelphia. “There are serious consequences for failing to comply withfederal currency reporting requirements, as this passenger has learned.”
Before inspecting the man’s luggage, CBPofficers explained the federal currency reporting requirement and had thepassenger read the Hebrew-language CBP declaration form. The passengeracknowledged understanding the regulation and wrote on the declaration formthat he possessed $13,000.
CBP officers provided the man withinformation on how to petition for the return of the seized currency, andreleased him to continue his trip.
The passenger arrived from Tel Aviv,Israel around 6 a.m. Sunday.
CBP officers routinely conduct randominspection operations on arriving and departing international flights andintercepts currency, narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products orother illicit items.
Travelers are encouraged visit CBP’sTravel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security chargedwith the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at andbetween the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists andterrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Three Nurses, Including Two Owners of a Home Health Care Agency, and the Company Among Six Defendants Indicted in Alleged Conspiracy Involving Kickbacks for Medicare Patients
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CHICAGO—A home health care agency insuburban Lincolnwood, two nurses who are part owners of the company, a thirdnurse affiliated with them, and two marketers were indicted on federal chargesfor allegedly participating in a conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks inexchange for the referral of Medicare patients for home health care services,federal law enforcement officials announced today. Defendants Marilyn Maravillaand Junjee L. Arroyo, both part owners of Goodwill Home Healthcare Inc., andthree other defendants allegedly conspired to pay and receive approximately$400,000 in kickbacks to themselves, nurses, marketers, and others for thereferral and retention of Medicare patients that enabled Goodwill to billMedicare approximately $5 million.
Also indicted were Ferdinand Echavia, alicensed nurse who referred patients to Goodwill, and Jean Holloway andRakeshkumar Shah, both of whom marketed Goodwill’s services to Medicarepatients.
The 29-count indictment was returned bya federal grand jury last Thursday and unsealed on Friday following the arrestsof Holloway, 41, of Bellwood, and Shah, 46, of Des Plaines. Both were releasedon bond after pleading not guilty in U.S. District Court.
Maravilla, 55, of Chicago; Arroyo, 44,of Elmhurst; and Echavia, 39, of Chicago, all licensed nurses, together withGoodwill as a corporate defendant, are scheduled to be arraigned on August 22in U.S. District Court.
All six defendants were charged with onecount of conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks for Medicare patientreferrals, and each defendant was also charged with the following number ofcounts of violating the anti-kickback statute: Goodwill, 16 counts; Maravilla,15 counts; Arroyo, 16 counts; Echavia, five counts; Holloway, three counts; andShah, eight counts.
Maravilla began working as a nurse atGoodwill in August 2008 and, sometime during the next two months, became anowner and the administrator of the agency. Arroyo was also an owner andGoodwill’s director of nursing.
The indictment was announced by Gary S.Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois;Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region of the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and RobertD. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureauof Investigation.
“Paying kickbacks to refer Medicarepatients is illegal. Money cannot be permitted to be the basis of a medicalreferral over medical necessity or quality of service,” Mr. Pugh said. Theinvestigation is continuing, the officials said.
Between August 2008 and July 2010, theindictment alleges that Maravilla, Arroyo, and two other individuals—one anofficer and an owner of Goodwill, and the other a certified public accountantand Goodwill’s bookkeeper—paid and caused Goodwill to pay kickbacks to nurses,marketers, and other home health care workers who referred patients toGoodwill; assisted in re-certifying patients as homebound; or caused patientsto begin new 60-day care cycles of home health care with Goodwill. By offeringkickbacks, Maravilla, Arroyo, and others sought to increase Goodwill’s patientcensus and to enrich themselves and Goodwill. During this time, Goodwillobtained referrals of approximately 900 cycles of home health care, includingnew patients and the re-certification of existing patients for additional60-day cycles of care.
According to the indictment, the amountof the kickback payments varied but generally ranged from approximately $400 to$700 for each new care cycle and approximately $100 to $300 for eachre-certification. The payments were intended to induce nurses, marketers, andothers in the home health industry to refer patients to Goodwill for servicesto be reimbursed by Medicare, the indictment alleges.
In January 2009, Maravilla and Arroyoallegedly created and circulated to Goodwill employees and affiliates a memo onGoodwill’s letterhead that set forth a structure for kickbacks relating topatient re-certifications, disguising the illegal payments as “bonuses.” Thememo provided that a $100 “bonus” would be given to nurses who re-certified apatient for a third cycle, and a $200 “bonus” would be given to a nurse whore-admitted a discharged patient a month after the discharge date.
In order to make certain kickbackpayments in cash, Maravilla and Arroyo obtained Goodwill checks payable to themand recorded on Goodwill’s books as “loans,” but they allegedly cashed thechecks and used the funds to pay kickbacks to marketers.
The indictment alleges that Maravilla,Arroyo, and Goodwill’s bookkeeper paid Echavia cash kickbacks totalingapproximately $28,000 and also paid kickbacks totaling approximately $56,000 toa company owned and controlled by Echavia. Maravilla and Arroyo allegedlycaused Goodwill to pay approximately $10,400 in kickbacks to Holloway, andkickbacks totaling approximately $21,500 to Shah. In addition, the two ownerscaused Goodwill to pay approximately $20,000 in kickbacks to two othermarketers who were not charged.
The indictment also alleges thatMaravilla and Arroyo caused Goodwill to pay at least $58,000 in kickbacks to atleast three other nurses who were affiliated with Goodwill and who were notcharged. In addition to receiving salary and profits from Goodwill, Maravillaand Arroyo allegedly caused the agency to pay kickbacks to them as well.Maravilla allegedly received approximately $138,000 in kickbacks for patientreferrals, and Arroyo allegedly received approximately $44,000 in kickbacks forpatients that either he or his wife referred to Goodwill.
Conspiracy and each count of violatingthe anti-kickback statute carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a$250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence underfederal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is being represented byAssistant U.S. Attorneys Shoshana Gillers and John Kness.
The public is reminded that anindictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent andare entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of provingguilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case falls under the umbrella of theMedicare Fraud Strike Force, which expanded operations to Chicago in February2011, and is part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement ActionTeam (HEAT), a joint initiative announced in May 2009 between the JusticeDepartment and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud andenforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Approximately four dozendefendants have been charged in health care fraud cases since the strike forcebegan operating in Chicago last year. In unrelated cases indicted in late June2012, 10 defendants, including the owners of two Chicago home health careagencies and three physicians, were charged in two separate alleged Medicarereferral kickback schemes.
Since their inception in March 2007,strike force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,330defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for morethan $4 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increaseaccountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care FraudPrevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to:www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
CHICAGO—A home health care agency insuburban Lincolnwood, two nurses who are part owners of the company, a thirdnurse affiliated with them, and two marketers were indicted on federal chargesfor allegedly participating in a conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks inexchange for the referral of Medicare patients for home health care services,federal law enforcement officials announced today. Defendants Marilyn Maravillaand Junjee L. Arroyo, both part owners of Goodwill Home Healthcare Inc., andthree other defendants allegedly conspired to pay and receive approximately$400,000 in kickbacks to themselves, nurses, marketers, and others for thereferral and retention of Medicare patients that enabled Goodwill to billMedicare approximately $5 million.
Also indicted were Ferdinand Echavia, alicensed nurse who referred patients to Goodwill, and Jean Holloway andRakeshkumar Shah, both of whom marketed Goodwill’s services to Medicarepatients.
The 29-count indictment was returned bya federal grand jury last Thursday and unsealed on Friday following the arrestsof Holloway, 41, of Bellwood, and Shah, 46, of Des Plaines. Both were releasedon bond after pleading not guilty in U.S. District Court.
Maravilla, 55, of Chicago; Arroyo, 44,of Elmhurst; and Echavia, 39, of Chicago, all licensed nurses, together withGoodwill as a corporate defendant, are scheduled to be arraigned on August 22in U.S. District Court.
All six defendants were charged with onecount of conspiracy to pay and receive illegal kickbacks for Medicare patientreferrals, and each defendant was also charged with the following number ofcounts of violating the anti-kickback statute: Goodwill, 16 counts; Maravilla,15 counts; Arroyo, 16 counts; Echavia, five counts; Holloway, three counts; andShah, eight counts.
Maravilla began working as a nurse atGoodwill in August 2008 and, sometime during the next two months, became anowner and the administrator of the agency. Arroyo was also an owner andGoodwill’s director of nursing.
The indictment was announced by Gary S.Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois;Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region of the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and RobertD. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureauof Investigation.
“Paying kickbacks to refer Medicarepatients is illegal. Money cannot be permitted to be the basis of a medicalreferral over medical necessity or quality of service,” Mr. Pugh said. Theinvestigation is continuing, the officials said.
Between August 2008 and July 2010, theindictment alleges that Maravilla, Arroyo, and two other individuals—one anofficer and an owner of Goodwill, and the other a certified public accountantand Goodwill’s bookkeeper—paid and caused Goodwill to pay kickbacks to nurses,marketers, and other home health care workers who referred patients toGoodwill; assisted in re-certifying patients as homebound; or caused patientsto begin new 60-day care cycles of home health care with Goodwill. By offeringkickbacks, Maravilla, Arroyo, and others sought to increase Goodwill’s patientcensus and to enrich themselves and Goodwill. During this time, Goodwillobtained referrals of approximately 900 cycles of home health care, includingnew patients and the re-certification of existing patients for additional60-day cycles of care.
According to the indictment, the amountof the kickback payments varied but generally ranged from approximately $400 to$700 for each new care cycle and approximately $100 to $300 for eachre-certification. The payments were intended to induce nurses, marketers, andothers in the home health industry to refer patients to Goodwill for servicesto be reimbursed by Medicare, the indictment alleges.
In January 2009, Maravilla and Arroyoallegedly created and circulated to Goodwill employees and affiliates a memo onGoodwill’s letterhead that set forth a structure for kickbacks relating topatient re-certifications, disguising the illegal payments as “bonuses.” Thememo provided that a $100 “bonus” would be given to nurses who re-certified apatient for a third cycle, and a $200 “bonus” would be given to a nurse whore-admitted a discharged patient a month after the discharge date.
In order to make certain kickbackpayments in cash, Maravilla and Arroyo obtained Goodwill checks payable to themand recorded on Goodwill’s books as “loans,” but they allegedly cashed thechecks and used the funds to pay kickbacks to marketers.
The indictment alleges that Maravilla,Arroyo, and Goodwill’s bookkeeper paid Echavia cash kickbacks totalingapproximately $28,000 and also paid kickbacks totaling approximately $56,000 toa company owned and controlled by Echavia. Maravilla and Arroyo allegedlycaused Goodwill to pay approximately $10,400 in kickbacks to Holloway, andkickbacks totaling approximately $21,500 to Shah. In addition, the two ownerscaused Goodwill to pay approximately $20,000 in kickbacks to two othermarketers who were not charged.
The indictment also alleges thatMaravilla and Arroyo caused Goodwill to pay at least $58,000 in kickbacks to atleast three other nurses who were affiliated with Goodwill and who were notcharged. In addition to receiving salary and profits from Goodwill, Maravillaand Arroyo allegedly caused the agency to pay kickbacks to them as well.Maravilla allegedly received approximately $138,000 in kickbacks for patientreferrals, and Arroyo allegedly received approximately $44,000 in kickbacks forpatients that either he or his wife referred to Goodwill.
Conspiracy and each count of violatingthe anti-kickback statute carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a$250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence underfederal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is being represented byAssistant U.S. Attorneys Shoshana Gillers and John Kness.
The public is reminded that anindictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent andare entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of provingguilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case falls under the umbrella of theMedicare Fraud Strike Force, which expanded operations to Chicago in February2011, and is part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement ActionTeam (HEAT), a joint initiative announced in May 2009 between the JusticeDepartment and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud andenforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Approximately four dozendefendants have been charged in health care fraud cases since the strike forcebegan operating in Chicago last year. In unrelated cases indicted in late June2012, 10 defendants, including the owners of two Chicago home health careagencies and three physicians, were charged in two separate alleged Medicarereferral kickback schemes.
Since their inception in March 2007,strike force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,330defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for morethan $4 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increaseaccountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care FraudPrevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to:www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
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