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New Iberia man sentenced for involvement in Medicare fraud scheme

On Behalf of | Oct 19, 2011 | Firm News, White Collar Crimes |

A New Iberia man recently sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for his involvement in a $1.1 million Medicare fraud scheme reportedly worked with a former Baton Rouge attorney, among others, in the illegal activity. The 45-year-old New Iberia man apparently received over $200,000 for his involvement in the fraud scheme,

The scheme involved submitting false and fraudulent claims for psychotherapy services which were ultimately never provided. Five others have already been convicted and sentenced for involvement in the scheme. Charges include health care fraud, paying illegal kickbacks.

Among the others involved in the scheme, one was sentenced to eight months in a halfway house and three years on probation; another has been sentenced to 34 months in prison; another to 15 months in prison; another to three years of probation, six months of service in a local halfway house and three years of supervised release.

Three of the individuals were licensed social workers that used their professional position to further the fraud scheme. One of them was ordered to pay $120,946.89 in restitution to Medicare, and the other was ordered to repay $89,450. Another was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $345,804 in restitution.

Overall, the six individuals involve in the scheme submitted over 7,700 false claims for Medicare payments adding up to $3,052,838, inducing Medicare to pay $1,063,873 to Above and Beyond, LLC, the company which the defendants operated between 2003 and 2005.

The 63-year-old former attorney who assisted in the fraud scheme was sentenced to 34 months in prison earlier this year. He was disbarred last year.

Source: The Advocate, “Man receives 42-month sentenced in fraud case,” Bill Lodge, Oct 18, 2011.

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