Garrett Okubo, the owner of a physical therapy office in Hawaii, submitted false claims to multiple healthcare providers. Okubo submitted claims implying he provided services, which were performed by unlicensed members of his staff. Some of these claims were even submitted during a time when Okubo was not in the country. Of the alleged $5.5 million in false claims, $3.7 million was actually paid.

After pleading guilty to 4 counts of healthcare fraud, Okubo faces up to 40 years in prison (10 years for each count), a fine of up to $1,000,000 ($250,000 for each count), and 3 years of supervised release.

To read the official Department of Justice press release please follow the link below:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-hi/pr/oahu-physical-therapist-pleads-guilty-health-care-fraud

Robert Madonna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud through a false company. Madonna formed a company with the purpose of marketing prescription-compounded medications. 

These medications are not FDA-approved but are allowed when a physician determines an FDA-approved medication is not appropriate. These medications are extremely expensive and rarely medically necessary.

Madonna and his co-conspirators would find public employees, covered by state medical insurance, and offer them large sums of money in exchange for obtaining prescription compounded medications without obtaining an examination to determine their medical necessity. 

The public employees would obtain these medications from the fake company created by Madonna. The State of New Jersey paid more than $2 million in false claims.

Conditions of his plea agreement include Madonna forfeiting all criminal proceeds in addition to paying restitution in excess of $2 million. Furthermore, Madonna faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. 

To read the official Department of Justice press release, please follow the link below:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/former-margate-mortgage-consultant-admits-health-care-fraud-conspiracy

Maurice Sharpe pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud involving psychotherapy services. Sharpe and two associates formed a social services agency, through which they submitted claims for services, which were either not performed at all or were performed by unlicensed professionals. 

The proceeds were split between the members of the LLC and Anne Silver, a licensed clinical social worker. 

Sharpe faces up to 10 years in prison. Silver and Lafayette (the other member of the LLC) have already pleaded guilty.

To read the official Department of Justice press release, please follow the link below:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/waterbury-man-pleads-guilty-health-care-fraud-charge

Antoine Skaff pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of over $700,000 through his dentistry practice. Over a period of more than five years, Skaff maintained a scheme by which he upcoded, double billed, and charged for services never performed. Skaff billed each tooth extraction as an impacted tooth extraction. 

Furthermore, Skaff received double payments for single tooth extractions. 

As a condition of his plea deal, Skaff will pay $738,067 in restitution. Skaff also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

To read the official Department of Justice press release, please follow the link below:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/charleston-dentist-pleads-guilty-health-care-fraud

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Letecia Hill used a scheme to commit healthcare fraud involving devices related to hearing loss. Hill, the owner of a company that provided hearing-related services to nursing home residents, pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud.

Company employees would see an unmanageable amount of patients, allotting an inadequate time to examine each patient. Company employees would place orders for every patient available, even when unnecessary or when the patient was unable to respond. Medicare fraudulently reimbursed Hill’s company to the tune of $5.1 million. 

Hill faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Hill also faces the possibility of being ordered to pay restitution. 

To read the official Department of Justice press release, please follow the link below:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/garland-woman-admits-role-health-care-fraud-conspiracy