MEDICAID FRAUD REPORT

Transcription

1 MEDICAID FRAUD REPORT National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units March/April 2014 INSIDE Massachusetts Physician Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing Suboxone... 1 Cases... 2 Case Updates Massachusetts Physician Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing Suboxone Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on March 14 that the former head of a substance abuse clinic pleaded guilty to charges that he illegally prescribed a drug used to treat opiate addiction and collected illegal fees from patients. Dr. Richard Ng pleaded guilty in Superior Court on charges of illegal prescribing (11 counts), Medicaid false claims (nine counts), and Medicaid excess charges (seven counts). After the pleas were entered, Ng was sentenced to two and a half years in the house of correction, suspended for a probationary period of five years, with six months of home confinement on GPS monitoring as a special condition. Also imposed was a $10,000 fine and approximately $9,700 in restitution. The charges stemmed from Ng s management of the substance abuse treatment clinic between 2006 and The clinic closed in early The MFCU s investigation revealed that Ng prescribed the drug Suboxone, a semisynthetic drug used to treat opiate addition, to nine of his patients even after repeated drug tests indicated that the patients were not taking Suboxone and were continuing to use illegal street drugs, including heroin, methadone and other opiates. For many of these patients, Ng wrote medical notes falsely stating that the patients had therapeutic levels of Suboxone in their system, had not deviated from their treatment, or had been tolerating their Suboxone treatment without difficulty. Ng also wrote prescriptions in false names for two additional patients. Most of the prescriptions at issue were billed to and paid for by the Massachusetts Medicaid Program (MassHealth). The investigation also revealed that Ng unlawfully charged his MassHealth patients, including those insured by MassHealth, a $100 new patient registration fee via cash or check made out directly to him that was placed into his personal account. The new patient fee was in addition to payment Ng received from MassHealth for his services, which is prohibited by MassHealth regulations.

2 In February, Ng s former office manager, Renee Andrews pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid kickbacks (four counts), Medicaid false claims (two counts), and private health insurance kickbacks (five counts). The charges stemmed from a scheme in which Andrews solicited and, in some cases received, kickbacks from drug testing laboratories in exchange for referring the clinic s lucrative urine drug screening business to the laboratories. In exchange for Andrews referring the clinic s business, the laboratories paid the full-time salaries of clinic staff, including Andrews daughter and cousin, who worked as medical assistants and performed other administrative duties. Andrews was sentenced to two years of probation, and ordered to pay a $7,500 fine. CASES For further information contact Deputy Division Chief Steven Hoffman (617) Audiologists: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced on March 4 that audiologist Guillermo Ruiz was indicted by a state grand jury for Medicaid fraud. Ruiz and his two unlicensed employees allegedly billed Medicaid and Medicare for audiology services to nursing home patients that were performed by the unlicensed employees while Ruiz was out of the country. For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Behavioral Health: North Carolina Attorney General Roy Copper announced on April 10 that Claude Arthur Verbal II, the owner and operator of Infinite Wellness Concepts, Inc. (IWC), a Medicaid behavioral health provider, pleaded guilty to tax fraud, healthcare fraud and money laundering in two separate cases in federal court. Verbal pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns, one count of healthcare fraud and one count of money laundering. Verbal faces up to 28 years in federal prison and $850,000 in fines, and has agreed to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to Medicaid. IWC was contracted to provide group therapy, intensive in-home services, enhanced mental health and substance abuse services. Court documents state that Verbal acquired at least one million dollars in fraudulently obtained funds from the Medicaid program. The fraudulent activities included: Changing diagnosis codes so that codes with higher reimbursement rates could be billed; Falsely inflating the number of clients treated during group therapy; Billing for services not rendered and submitting false treatment notes in support of the services not rendered using forged signatures from counselors and therapists; Unqualified personnel conducting therapy; and Creating fraudulent clinical assessments and creating clinical assessments prepared 2

3 and signed by unqualified preparers. According to court documents, Verbal used the proceeds of the tax and healthcare fraud schemes to make extensive purchases of luxury cars, homes and jewelry. The money laundering charge to which Verbal pleaded guilty relates to the purchase of a $52,000 diamond ring with the proceeds of healthcare fraud. In the course of the health care fraud investigation, law enforcement authorities seized $765, 917 from bank accounts controlled by Verbal, a 2011 Toyota Camry and four pieces of diamond jewelry, including a 7-carat diamond ring. The United States initiated a civil forfeiture action alleging the properties constituted proceeds traceable to the health care fraud and on September 19, 2013, Judge Eagles entered an order forfeiting the property to the government. For further information contact Charlie Hobgood, Director (919) Community Health Centers: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 12 that Cyrus Sajadi, MD; Mansour Sanjar, MD; Chandra Yvonne Nunn; Shokoufeh Coste Hakimi; Sharonda Denise Holmes; Shawn Eric Manney and Adam William Main were found guilty by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud and health care kickbacks. Drs. Sajadi and Sanjar, owners of Spectrum Care PA, a community health center, employees Nunn, Hakimi, Holmes, Manney, Main, and licensed clinical social worker Terry Wade Moore allegedly billed for services not rendered and paid kickbacks to ambulance companies and individuals who supplied patients. Hakimi, Spectrum's office manager, allegedly paid kickbacks to ambulance companies and individuals who supplied patients. Nunn, Holmes and Manney, recruiters for Spectrum, allegedly received kickback payments from Hakimi. Main and Moore were allegedly involved in the billing for services not rendered along with Drs. Sajadi and Sanjar. Prior to the start of trial, Moore pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The overpayment is approximately $97,000 to Medicaid and $3.7 million to Medicare. For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Counselors: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 25 that licensed professional counselor (LPC) Enrique Martinez Reyes, owner of Reyes & Associates Individual Marriage & Family Counseling, was indicted by a state grand jury for Medicaid fraud and theft. Reyes allegedly billed for services not rendered and double billed for family and individual sessions when they were seen for individual sessions. For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512)

4 Dental Provider: Massachusetts Attorney General Coakley announced on March 10 that a dental provider has been sued for allegedly overbilling the state s Medicaid program (MassHealth) for more than $1.1 million of house calls to patients in multiple nursing homes. The complaint against HealthDrive Corporation, filed in Superior Court, alleges that since July 2010, the dentist overbilled for nursing home visits by charging a separate house call fee for multiple patients treated at the same facility on the same day. While providers can charge for treating multiple patients on the same day, MassHealth limits the separate house call charge to one per facility per day, regardless of the number of patients who receive dental care. HealthDrive allegedly continued the improper billing practice even though officials at MassHealth directly told the corporation s chief executive officer that it was illegal. The complaint seeks civil penalties, restitution and other compensation due to the allegations. The MFCU alleges that HealthDrive was paid for more than 34,400 claims on a per -patient per-day basis, contrary to MassHealth s regulations on dental house calls established in For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Kriss Basil, Investigators Arianna Sassone or Eric Panicucci (617) Drug Diversion: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 6 that licensed vocational nurse (LVN) Susan Michelle Collier was sentenced to three years of community supervision and was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and permanently surrender her nursing license after pleading guilty in state court to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and tampering with a governmental record. Collier allegedly stole prescription medications from residents while she was employed at a nursing home. Attorney General Abbott announced on March 13 that registered nurse (RN) Stephanie Kay Toppings was indicted by a state grand jury for possession of a controlled substance. Toppings allegedly obtained hydrocodone fraudulently from local pharmacies in the name of a hospice plus client while she was employed as a nurse. Attorney General Abbott announced on March 13 that certified medication aide (CMA) Mary Bessard Michael was placed on two years of deferred adjudication community supervision and was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $200 fine after pleading guilty in state court to possession of controlled substance by fraud. Michael 4

5 allegedly stole hydrocodone from a medication cart while she was employed at La Hacienda Rehabilitation & Healthcare. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 16 that James Melvin Bradshaw was sentenced in federal court to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $75 in restitution and a $1,000 fine. Bradshaw pleaded guilty in October 2013 to acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation. While employed as a police officer, Bradshaw allegedly coerced patients at their homes and obtained their hydrocodone prescriptions shortly after the prescriptions were filled. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 21 that licensed vocational nurse (LVN) Erica Shea Banks pleaded guilty in state court to possessing controlled substances by fraud. Banks allegedly stole controlled substances prescribed for residents in her care at Cypress Glen, a nursing facility. For further information on these cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Durable Medical Equipment: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on April 4 that Grace Garza Cantu, Maria Elena Vela and Aurelia Vargas pleaded guilty in state court to theft. Cantu was placed on ten years deferred adjudication community supervision and was ordered to pay $101,292 in restitution. Vela was placed on ten years deferred adjudication community supervision and was ordered to pay $115,119 in restitution. Vargas was placed on five years deferred adjudication community supervision and was ordered to pay $11,590 in restitution. Cantu, office manager for Priority Medical Equipment & Supply and billers Vargas and Vela allegedly billed for incontinence supplies which were not delivered. The loss to Medicaid is approximately $2.5 million. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 8 that James Claude Newman pleaded guilty in federal court to false statements related to healthcare matters. Newman, a contractor for Hall s Pharmacy and Aledo Medicine, allegedly made false statements related to Medicaid/ Medicare claims for diabetic shoes and inserts. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 22 that Yolanda Rene Nowlin was sentenced in federal court to 132 months in prison with three years supervised release. She was ordered to pay $230,000 in restitution to Medicare, $513,000 to Medicaid and $106,000 to 5

6 Social Security. Nowlin was convicted at trial of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud and Social Security fraud. Nowlin was owner/operator of Yellabone Medical Equipment, Inc., and Yellabone Medic Care Express, both DME companies. She allegedly billed Medicaid and Medicare for power wheelchairs and for incontinence supplies which were not needed and/or not delivered. The identified overpayment is approximately $1.1 million. Employee Carla Ann Parnell pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud and is awaiting sentencing. For further information on these cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Home Health Care: Idaho Attorney General Lawreence Wasden announced on April 11 that a man was sentenced to ninety days in jail for causing the submission of false claims for services to the Idaho Medicaid. program The judge also ordered Charles George Caltabiano to pay $2, in combined restitution to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare Division of Medicaid, as well as to the State of Idaho for costs incurred in the investigation of this case. Additionally, Caltabiano is to serve two years of supervised probation. From 2011 to 2012, Caltabiano worked as an employee for personal care service agencies as well as residential care facilities, serving Medicaid recipients. Timekeeping records maintained by the agencies and facilities showed that Caltabiano overlapped times and dates of service for his employers on numerous occasions, claiming to be in two places at once. Additionally, investigators from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit conducted surveillance of Caltabiano s arrivals and departures from Medicaid clients homes and residential care facilities, then compared the eyewitness observations to the timekeeping records. The comparison showed that Caltabiano falsified times spent providing services to Medicaid recipients. For further information contact Kendal McDevitt, Director (208) Home Health Care: Massachusetts Attorney General Coakley announced on April 11 that Beverly Cousin and her son, Rashad Cousin, have been arraigned in connection with multiple schemes using family names to falsely bill the state s Medicaid program (MassHealth) for more than $96,000 of Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services that were never provided, allegedly using the proceeds for their own benefit. Beverly Cousin was arraigned in Superior Court on the charges of Medicaid false claims (five counts) and larceny over $250 by false pretenses (five counts). Rashad Cousin, was arraigned on the charges of Medicaid false claims (three counts) and larceny over $250 by false pretenses (three counts). Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were released on personal recognizance. 6

7 The MassHealth PCA Program helps people with chronic or long-term disabilities live independently and hire PCA s to help with their daily living activities. In February 2013, Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc. referred a complaint to the MFCU after hearing concerns that Beverly Cousin was not receiving authorized care, instead submitting false timesheets in her children s names and retaining the payments for her personal use. According to authorities, since 2008, Beverly Cousin, a recipient of PCA services through the MassHealth program, allegedly falsified timesheets to reflect receipt of services provided by Rashad Cousin and her daughter while they were living outside of Massachusetts. Timesheets were also submitted for services provided in the name of a second son while he was serving prison sentences, converting the checks issued in their names for her benefit. By regulation, PCA services cannot be provided while a MassHealth member is admitted to an inpatient facility or nursing home. It is alleged that timesheets for PCA services were also submitted while Beverly Cousin was an inpatient in a hospital. Rashad Cousin allegedly participated in this scheme to defraud MassHealth by submitting timesheets in his incarcerated brother s name, billing for PCA services while Beverly Cousin was in the hospital and personally benefitting from the proceeds of the fraudulently obtained PCA funds as well. For further information on both cases contact Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Goldstein or Investigator Aleksandra Andriyevskaya (617) Home Health Care: Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced on March 3 that Jessica Getchell pleaded guilty to one count of falsification in a theft offense, and was sentenced to three years of community control, ordered to pay court costs in an amount to be determined, and pay $20,000 in restitution. If the defendant violates community control she will receive a six month jail sentence. On May 21, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Getchell with one count of Medicaid Fraud, and one count of falsification in a theft offense. Getchell was an independent provider who billed for services not rendered. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannie Lesperance (614) Attorney General DeWine announced on March 3 that Paul White pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud and was sentenced to five years of community control, and ordered to pay $26, in restitution. If the defendant violates community control he will receive an 11 month Prison term. On August 20, 2013, an indictment was filed charging White with one count of Medicaid fraud. White was an independent provider who billed for services not rendered. 7

8 0722. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Metzler (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on March 4 that Robert Knisely pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud, and was sentenced to 61 days in jail, ordered to pay $1, in restitution. On May 22, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Knisely with one count of complicity to commit theft by deception and one count of Medicaid fraud. Knisely was a former home health care aide (Medicaid terminated his provider agreement due to a theft conviction) who was dating Medicaid recipient Rita Heishman. Both Heishman and Knisely participated in a kickback scheme with home health care aide Mandi Griggs. Griggs billed for services not rendered and paid Heishman and Knisely $200/month as a kickback For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Maritsa Flaherty (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on March 11 that Christopher Peterson pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud, and was sentenced to five years of community control, and ordered to pay $16,338 in restitution. If the defendant violates community control he will receive a six month prison term. On November 19, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Peterson with one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of falsification in a theft offense. Peterson, a home health care aide, billed for services not rendered. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannine Lesperance (614) Attorney General DeWine announced on March 13 that Tammy Lawrence pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud and was sentenced to 180 day suspended jail sentence, five years of probation, and ordered to pay $3, in restitution. On December 17, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Lawrence with one count of Medicaid fraud. Lawrence was a home health care aide who billed for services not rendered For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Amanda Bunner (614) 466-8

9 Attorney General DeWine announced on March 14 that Emily Pigg pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced to three years of community control, 90 days in-patient women s recovery center program, and ordered to pay $10, in restitution. If the defendant violates community control she will receive an eleven month prison term. On October 16, 2012, an indictment was filed charging Pigg with one count of theft by deception. Pigg was an independent home health care aide who billed for services not rendered For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Nathan Smith (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on March 20 that David Kilgore was sentenced to 24 months in prison, ordered to pay investigative costs of $8,680, restitution of $19,204.16, and a fine of $5,000. On July 18, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Kilgore with one count of illegal use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits or WIC program benefits, one count of money laundering, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, one count of Medicaid fraud, one count of falsification, two counts of receiving stolen property, one count receiving stolen property, one count telecommunications fraud, and one count engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. On February 18, Kilgore pleaded guilty to illegal use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits or WIC program benefits, one count of money laundering, one count of Medicaid fraud, two counts of receiving stolen property, one count receiving stolen property. Kilgore, an independent provider, who billed for services not rendered and was also operating a store where he would trade food stamps for alcohol and cigarettes and then use food stamps to purchase goods to sell in the store. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannine Lesperance (614) Attorney General DeWine announced on March 27 that Glenn Alston pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid Fraud, and was sentenced to five years of community control, and ordered to pay $39,000 in restitution. If the defendant violates community control he will receive a six month prison term. On September 17, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Alston with one count of Medicaid Fraud. Alston, a Medicaid recipient, was involved in a kickback scheme with his provider. 9

10 0722. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Metzler (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on April 2 that Erica Pettit pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud, and was sentenced to five years of community control, ordered to pay court costs in an amount to be determined, and ordered to pay $7, in restitution. If the defendant violates community control she will receive a prison term of eleven months. On June 18, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Pettit with one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of falsification in a theft offense. Pettit, an independent provider, billed for services that were not rendered. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannine Lesperance (614) Attorney General DeWine announced on April 3 that Amber Wills pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid Fraud and was sentenced to a five day suspended jail sentence, placed on two years of probation, and ordered to pay $2,246 in restitution. On January 21, an indictment was filed charging Wills with one count of Medicaid fraud. Wills, an independent provider, was routinely splitting six hour shifts into multiple shifts to obtain the additional loaded hour reimbursement For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Daniel Huston (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on April 8 that Chase Gebearty pleaded guilty to one count of Theft and was sentenced to five years of community control, and ordered to pay $76, in restitution jointly and severally with the co-defendant. If the defendant violates community control he will receive a six month prison sentence. On November 19, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Gebearty with one count of theft and one count of falsification in a theft offense. Gebearty is a Medicaid recipient who was involved in a kickback scheme with his provider. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannine Lesperance (614)

11 Attorney General DeWine announced on April 8 that Gloria Owens pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced to a 60 day suspended jail sentence, three years of probation, and ordered to pay $2, in restitution. On December 17, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Owens with one count of theft by deception and one count of falsification in a theft offense. Owens, an independent provider, billed for services not rendered. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannine Lesperance (614) Attorney General DeWine announced on April 14 that Susan Maziarz pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced to five years of community control, and ordered to pay $6, in restitution. If the defendant violates community control she will receive a six month prison sentence. On June 18, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Maziarz with one count of theft by deception. Maziarz is a Medicaid recipient who was involved in a kickback scheme with her provider For further information contact Assistant Attorney General William Greene (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on April 15 that Francesca Steinhart pleaded guilty to one count of forgery and was sentenced to four years of community control and ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution. If the defendant violates community control she will receive a one year prison sentence. On January 21, an indictment was filed charging Steinhart with one count of tampering with evidence, Medicaid fraud, grand theft by deception and two counts of forgery. Steinhart was the owner of Legacy Home Care who directed her employees to sign off on supervisory visits that were not conducted and to back date documents that had been conducted outside of the certification period For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Maritsa Flaherty (614) 466- Home Health Care: Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum announced on March 4 the conviction and sentencing of Denise Bond on making a false claim for health care payment and theft in the first degree. 11

12 Between November of 2012 and June of 2013, Medicaid recipient Bond submitted false vouchers for payment and made false representations to the Department of Human Services about services provided to her by her home care worker. In reality, her authorized home care worker had moved out of state, and Bond s son Christopher, was collecting the paychecks. Bond was indicted on numerous counts of making a false claim for health care payment and theft in the first degree. She was convicted of one count of making a false claim for health care payment and two counts of theft in the first degree. She was given three years formal probation and ordered to pay $11,962 in restitution. For further information contact Senior Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Ballard (971) Attorney General Rosenblum announced on March 5 the conviction and sentencing of Erinn Parsons, a Medicaid-paid home care worker, and recipient Shane Gonzales. An Oregon Department of Human Services food stamps investigator referred the case to MFCU when she suspected that the home care worker was not providing services. A MFCU investigation revealed that the home care worker had moved three hours away from the recipient, and worked a full-time job elsewhere and did not provide the services to the recipient. The home care worker had fraudulently submitted vouchers for six months and collected $7, that she did not earn legitimately. Parsons pleaded guilty to a felony count of making a false claim for health care payment. Parsons was sentenced to three years of probation, during which she must repay the Oregon Department of Human Services $7, in restitution, serve ten days in jail, and complete 80 hours of community service. As part of the plea negotiations, Parsons paid $4,000 toward restitution. Attorney General Rosenblum announced on March 6 the conviction and sentencing of Elizabeth Pettibone, a Medicaid-paid home care worker. A Department of Human Services supervisor referred the case to MFCU when he suspected that the home care worker was not providing live-in services, based on numerous calls to the recipients and visits to the recipients home when the home care worker was not present. A further investigation by the MFCU revealed that the home care worker was receiving thousands of dollars every month after submitting vouchers claiming that she had worked for both recipients, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During a recorded call, Pettibone claimed to be living with the recipient, and acknowledged that she was required to live there to provide services. Numerous witnesses reported that she was rarely, if ever, at the recipients home, and video surveillance confirmed this. 12

13 Pettibone pleaded guilty to two felonies: making a false claim for health care payment and theft in the first degree. She was sentenced to five years formal probation, ten months of incarceration, and ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution to the Department of Human Services. Attorney General Rosenblum announced on March 10 the conviction and sentencing of Trista Westwood, a Medicaid-paid home care worker, and recipient Dean Westwood. A Department of Human Services (DHS) case manager referred the case to MFCU when he suspected that the home care worker was not providing live-in services, and that the recipient was not eligible for Medicaid-funded services. A further investigation by the MFCU revealed that the Medicaid recipient has significant financial resources that he intentionally failed to report, that he had not filed state income taxes for three years, and that he had lured his niece into becoming a home care worker for him for the purpose of defrauding Oregon DHS of Medicaid funds. The recipient convinced his home care worker niece to sign and submit vouchers for payment for services she never provided, and to turn all of the money over to recipient for his personal use for a luxury apartment, season tickets and travel to football games, and lavish dinners. A surveillance confirmed that the home care worker did not provide services for four months. Other witnesses, including the home care worker, confirmed that she had never provided services during the four year period she had claimed. The recipient had fraudulently received nearly $110,000 in Medicaid funds. The home care worker cooperated with the MFCU and pleaded guilty in May 2013 to four felony counts. Because of the provider s cooperation and other compelling evidence, the recipient later pleaded guilty in November, 2013 to six felony counts. A circuit court judge sentenced the recipient to 18 months in prison followed by 18 months of probation and is required to repay the Oregon Department of Human Services nearly $110,000 in restitution, and to complete 80 hours of community service. The provider was sentenced to five years of probation, and is required to pay nearly $32,000 in restitution, and to serve 160 hours of community service. For further information on these cases contact Senior Assistant Attorney General Melissa M. Chureau (971) Home Health Care: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on April 5 that Charles Harris pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. His sister, Antonia Michelle Harris, pleaded guilty on April 3, to the same charge. Charles Harris, owner/operator of Harris Healthcare Group, and Antonia Harris, owner of Allied Covenant Home Health, allegedly billed for services which were not rendered and/or were not necessary. They allegedly shared patient 13

14 information and collaborated in the fraudulent billing for services to those patients. Several area doctors allegedly signed face-to-face evaluation forms and home health referrals allegedly without having seen the patient. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 22 that Peter Onyewuenyi was indicted by a state grand jury for Medicaid fraud. Onyewuenyi co-owned and operated Sonica Healthcare Group. The owners allegedly allowed unlicensed nurses to provide services, although the supporting documentation indicated a registered nurse rendered the medical care. For further information on both cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Home Health Care: Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced on March 26 that Richard Weldon was convicted on March 25, of five misdemeanor counts of false pretenses. The convictions stemmed from Weldon s submission of falsified timesheets in order to obtain payment for services that were not provided while he was an employer-of-record for a home-based health care worker under the Developmental Disability Services program, a Medicaid program. Weldon was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years in jail, all suspended, and placed on two years of probation subject to standard conditions and special conditions, including 60 hours of community service and a prohibition that he not work as a home-based care provider under a Medicaid waiver program. Weldon was also ordered to pay $9,620 in restitution to Medicaid For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Steven Monde (802) 828- Attorney General Sorrell announced on April 18 that Ashley Martin was convicted on April 17 of five misdemeanor counts of false pretenses. The convictions stemmed from Martin having forged signatures on timesheets she submitted for respite care not actually provided to a vulnerable adult enrolled in Vermont s Developmental Disability Services program. Martin was sentenced to one to three years in jail, all suspended, and placed on three years of probation subject to standard conditions and special conditions, including 60 hours of community service and a prohibition that she not work as a home-based care provider or employer-of-record under a Medicaid waiver program. Martin was also ordered to pay $11,000 in restitution to the Vermont Medicaid program. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Paul Barkus (802)

15 Attorney General Sorrell announced on April 23 that Tasha Gaudette was convicted on April 22 of two misdemeanor counts of false pretenses. The convictions stemmed from Gaudette s submission of false timesheets in order to obtain payment for services that were not provided to a child while she was employed as a home-based health care worker under the Children s Personal Care program, a Vermont Medicaid program. Gaudette was sentenced to one to two years in jail, all suspended, and placed on two years of probation subject to certain conditions, including 40 hours of community service and a prohibition that she not work as a home-based care provider under a Medicaid waiver program. Gaudette was also ordered to pay $4,170 in restitution to the Vermont Medicaid program. Attorney General Sorrell announced on April 23 that Denise Wildasin was convicted on April 22 of six misdemeanor counts of false pretenses. The convictions stemmed from Wildasin s submission of false timesheets in order to obtain payment for services that were not provided to a child enrolled in the Children s Personal Care program, a Vermont Medicaid program. Wildasin signed and submitted the timesheets in her capacity as the employer-ofrecord of the caregiver, who was separately charged, and shared in the Medicaid payments obtained. Wildasin was sentenced to three to six years in jail, all suspended, and placed on two years of probation subject to certain conditions, including 80 hours of community service and a prohibition that she not work as a home-based care provider or employer-of-record under a Medicaid waiver program. Wildasin was also ordered to pay $6,704 in restitution to the Vermont Medicaid program. For further information on both cases contact Assistant Attorney General Steven Monde (802) Home Health Care: Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced on April 2 that Tiamila Michelle Davis pleaded guilty as charged to one count of first degree theft and one count of Medicaid false statement. Investigator Mariya Kunin completed the investigation for the Washington State MFCU. The investigation revealed that the defendant contracted to provide in-home care to a Medicaid client through the Health Care Authority, Community Options Program Entry System. From February 2012 to April 2012, Davis billed and was paid by the Medicaid program for care that she claimed to have performed in Washington after moving to Louisiana. Davis was sentenced to 30 days incarceration converted to 240 hours of community service and six months of community supervision. She was also ordered to pay $12,326 in restitution and $800 in assessments and fees. 15

16 Attorney General Ferguson announced on April 7 that Chanell Robin Flock pleaded guilty to two counts of Medicaid false statement. Investigator Larry Carlier completed the investigation for the MFCU. The investigation revealed that the defendant contracted to provide in-home personal care services for Medicaid clients. From January 2007 to October 2010, Flock billed and was paid by Medicaid for care that she claimed to have performed but did not. Flock repaid the $20,053 in full at the time of sentencing, and agreed there would be no further probation or other sanction with the restitution amount fully satisfied. Attorney General Ferguson announced on April 22 that defendant Eunmi Kim pleaded guilty as charged to one count of attempted possession of stolen property in the second degree. Investigator David Fenn completed the investigation for the Washington State MFCU. The investigation revealed that the defendant contracted to provide in-home personal care services for Medicaid clients. Kim billed and was paid by Medicaid in Washington for focused, individual care to three different Alzheimer s patients, but was unlawfully providing this care simultaneously. Kim must repay the $5,573 in full and file a voluntary exclusion agreement within one year. For further information on these cases contact Assistant Attorney General Mike Pellicciotti (360) Nurses: Ohio Attorney General DeWine announced on April 16 that Rosemary Watson pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, one month of probation and ordered to pay $23, in restitution and a fine of $1,000. On May 21, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Watson with one count of theft. Watson, an RN, billed for services not rendered For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Nathan Smith (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on April 17 that a complaint was filed charging Nicole Meier with one count of falsification. She pleaded guilty the same day to falsification and was immediately sentenced to pay a fine of $250 and to pay $1, in restitution. Meier was an RN who billed for services not rendered. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Jeannine Lesperance (614)

17 Attorney General DeWine announced on April 21 that Russell Scherer pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud and was sentenced to five years of community control, and ordered to pay $166, in restitution. If the defendant violates community control he will receive a prison term of 17 months. On September 17, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Scherer with one count of Medicaid fraud and falsification in a theft offense. Scherer was an RN who billed for services not rendered. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Constance Nearhood (614) Personal Care Services: Vermont Attorney General Sorrell announced on March 26 that four individuals enrolled as either caregivers or employers-of-record in Vermont s Medicaid-funded Home and Community Based (HCBS) or Personal Care programs were separately arraigned on felony counts of Medicaid fraud for allegedly billing for care to children and vulnerable adults that was not provided. Collectively, these individuals are alleged to have submitted thirty-four fraudulent timesheets for almost two thousand hours of care that was not rendered, resulting in overpayments by the Medicaid program of approximately $18,000. Theresa Ambrose was arraigned on one felony count of Medicaid fraud. According to court documents, Ambrose was employed as the caregiver for a vulnerable adult enrolled in the choices for care Medicaid program. She is alleged to have submitted seven timesheets purporting to have provided 512 hours of care on days when she purported to have worked 24 hours per day, factoring in time spent at another job, including five days in a row. The timesheets resulted in at least $4,600 in overpayments by the Medicaid program. Nikiesha McGovern was arraigned on one felony count of Medicaid fraud and one felony count of false pretense. According to court documents, McGovern was employed as the caregiver to a minor child with special needs enrolled in the Children s Personal Care Services Medicaid program. She is alleged to have submitted six timesheets purporting to have provided 350 hours of care when the child was actually in someone else s care. These timesheets resulted in $2,152 in overpayments by the Vermont Medicaid program. Magen Hill was arraigned on one felony count of Medicaid fraud. According to court documents, Hill was employed as the caregiver to a vulnerable adult suffering from a serious medical condition who was enrolled in the Choices for Care Medicaid program and also on hospice care. She is alleged to have submitted twelve timesheets purporting to have provided 456 hours of personal and respite care that was not actually provided. These timesheets resulted in approximately $4,485 in overpayments by the Medicaid program. Crystal Hathaway-Therrien was arraigned on one felony count of Medicaid fraud and one felony count of false pretense. According to court documents, Hathaway-Therrien was the 17

18 employer-of-record for a minor child enrolled in the Children s Personal Care Services Medicaid program. She is alleged to have submitted nine timesheets purporting to have provided 650 hours of personal care that was not actually provided, and forged the signature of the caregiver. The timesheets resulted in approximately $6,357 in overpayments by the Medicaid program. In each case above, the court imposed conditions of release governing the defendants conduct while the cases are pending. For further information contact Ed Baker, Director (802) Pharmacies: Vermont Attorney General Sorrell announced on April 23 that Brandon Cigana was arraigned on April 21 on one felony charge of obtaining a regulated drug by fraud or deceit. The charge stems from Cigana s employment as a pharmacist at the Walgreens Pharmacy. According to court documents, Cigana deceitfully used his lawful access to the pharmacy s inventory to obtain regulated drugs, including Hydrocodone, Alprazolam and Suboxone, for himself without a prescription. The felony charge against Cigana carries a maximum penalty of up to two years and one day imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5000. The court imposed conditions of release governing Cigana s conduct while the case is pending For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Steven J. Monde (802) 828- Physicians: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 13 that Mohammad Zaim Nawaz, MD, and his wife Zille Huma Shah, MD, were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Nawaz and Shah allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for services not rendered, including billing incident to services inside skilled nursing facilities which they did not directly supervise and while they were out of the state or country. Attorney General Abbott announced on March 19 that Augustine Egbunike, MD, Charles Harris, Stella Ucheoma Akwarandu and Loretta Akosa Mbadgha were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and healthcare fraud. Dr. Egbunike allegedly billed Medicaid and Medicare for vestibular testing that was not performed. The patients billing information was allegedly obtained clinic owners Harris, Akwarandu, and Mbadgha. 18

19 Attorney General Abbott announced on March 31 that Lawrence Dale St. John was sentenced in federal court to 262 months incarceration and was ordered to pay $9,611,240 in restitution. Jeffrey Dale St. John, his son, was sentenced to 135 months and was ordered to pay $8,600,740 in restitution. The St. Johns owned/operated Physician House-Calls, dba A-Plus Medical House Calls. The two were convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud with Nicolas Alfonso Padron, MD. They hired Dr. Padron as their medical director to certify-recertify patients so they could bill Medicare and Medicaid for services never performed. Padron pleaded guilty in September 2013 and was sentenced on March 17, to 57 months incarceration and was ordered to pay over $9,484,111 in restitution. For further information on these cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Physician Recruiters: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on April 4 that physician recruiters Untwan Lewis Wallace and Mardesy Delaine Henderson were sentenced in federal court. Wallace was sentenced to 30 months incarceration with two years supervised release and Henderson s sentence was two years of probation. Wallace and Henderson are two of 14 subjects indicted for recruiting patients for visits to Padron Wellness. Nicolas Padron, MD, his office manager and the recruiters allegedly conspired to distribute controlled substances via prescription without a legitimate medical purpose through Padron Wellness Clinic and pharmacist Lisa Hollier, of Urban Independent Pharmacy. Hollier and others were found guilty at trial and Dr. Padron pleaded guilty. Attorney General Abbott announced on March 26 that Nelson Lee Wallace was sentenced in federal court to 48 months incarceration with two years supervised release. On March 14, Leroy Johnson was sentenced to 39 months incarceration with two years supervised release. Wallace and Johnson are two of 14 recruiters indicted for recruiting patients for visits to Padron Wellness Clinic. Nicolas Padron, MD, his office manager and the recruiters allegedly conspired to distribute controlled substances via prescription without a legitimate medical purpose through Padron Wellness Clinic and pharmacist Lisa Hollier, of Urban Independent Pharmacy. Hollier and others were found guilty in a jury trial and Dr. Padron pleaded guilty. For further information on both cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512)

20 Psychiatric Treatment Services: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on April 17 that 12 subjects were indicted by a federal grand jury for their involvement with Continuum Healthcare, LLC. David Preston Edson, Jeffery Burns Parsons and Aretha Johnson were charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, and money laundering. Earnestine Denise Johnson, James Clarence Bobino, Mary Lee Browning, Deborah McKinney Davis, Inger Michelle Pace, Ronald Wayne Turner, and Cheryl Braxter Waller were charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and healthcare fraud. Vermon Earl Lacy and Jacqueline Harris were charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Continuum allegedly used its Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) to bill Medicaid and Medicare for psychiatric treatment services which were not authorized, not needed, and/or not provided and paid kickbacks to physicians and marketers for patient referrals. Continuum allegedly paid residential group home owners to supply their own residents and to recruit other patients as clients for the PHP. Continuum referred to the recruiter/marketers as patient advocates. Edson was Continuum s vice president of development and Parsons was the vice president of operations. Aretha Johnson was a patient advocate and owner/operator of Liberty Island Adult Day Care, a residential and treatment facility. Bobino, Browning, Davis, Pace were personal care home owners as well as patient advocates. E. Johnson, Turner, Waller, Lacy, and Harris were personal care home owners. For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Psychiatrists: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 26 that Boris Joseph Porto, MD, a psychiatrist, entered an 18-month pretrial diversion agreement with the U.S. Attorney s Office. He paid $32, in restitution and will suspend his Medicaid billing for 18 months from the date of the agreement. Dr. Porto allegedly billed Medicaid for services for his patients with mental disabilities which he did not provide. For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Resident Abuse: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 11 that Rose Marie Quintero was indicted by a state grand jury for injury to the elderly. Quintero was in charge bathing and caring for residents at Aberdeen of Wedgewood. She allegedly failed to properly care for one of the residents resulting in a severe infection. 20

21 Attorney General Abbott announced on April 10 that teacher aides Virginia Ruth Smith, Felicia Michelle Duckett and Chametra Lashun Robinson were indicted by a state grand jury for injury to a child. While employed at Opportunities, Inc., Smith allegedly physically abused a disabled four-year-old client at the facility by repeatedly hitting the child in the head and grabbing and bruising the child s ears. Duckett and Robinson allegedly witnessed the incident but failed to report it. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 30 that personal care attendant Joseph Pedro Martinez was indicted by a state grand jury for injury to an elderly individual. While employed at Legacy Ranch Alzheimer s Special Care Center, Martinez allegedly slapped a resident and spat on her face. For further information on these cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Resident Neglect: Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced on April 3 that Paul J. Draine was sentenced for neglecting his mother and submitting claims to Medicaid for fraudulent services. The district judge sentenced Draine to one year fixed in prison and four years indeterminate. The court suspended the prison sentence and ordered Draine to enter the Rising Sun Sober Living facility. He was placed on supervised probation for five years and ordered to pay $23,408 in restitution to the Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid, Medicare and a private insurance company. Draine pleaded guilty on March 20 to one felony count of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult and one felony count of provider fraud. By pleading guilty, Draine admitted that while employed by TLC Home Health Care & Nursing, Inc., he neglected his mother's care, resulting in her being admitted to St. Alphonsus Hospital severely dehydrated and malnourished. Adult Protection Services was contacted by the hospital medical staff when they suspected she was a victim of abuse and/or neglect. A family member reported the situation to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Attorney General. Adult Protection Services was instrumental in the case and assisted the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with its investigation. While serving a search warrant of the home, shared by Draine and his elderly parents, investigators from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Garden City Police, found the home filthy with drug paraphernalia, trash and dog feces among the piles of clutter. For further information contact Kendal McDevitt, Director (208)

22 Resident Trust Funds: Massachusetts Attorney General Coakley announced on March 12 that a former director of nursing has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $16,000 from a 75-year-old resident. Laura Siano, the former director of nursing at Kirkwood House Nursing Home, pleaded guilty to charges of larceny over $250 (one count). After the plea was entered Siano was sentenced to one year in the house of correction, suspended for a probationary period of three years. As a condition to her probation, Siano was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the resident within 30 days. In November 2011, the MFCU began an investigation after the state s Department of Public Health referred an allegation of embezzlement of resident funds. The investigation revealed that more than $16,000 had been misappropriated from the resident s bank account. According to investigators, Siano had been entrusted to manage the resident s financial account at the now-closed nursing facility. For more than a year, Siano allegedly made repeated unauthorized cash withdrawals from the resident s checking account, typically in amounts of $300-$400. The investigation revealed that Siano also used the resident s debit card to make purchases at stores including Wal-Mart, Christmas Tree Shops, and Jo-Ann Fabrics for items unrelated to the residents personal needs such as a laptop, decorative items, cat food and cat litter. Authorities say no receipts or documentation could be provided to confirm whether any of the withdrawals or debit transactions were made on the resident s behalf. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Casey Groff, Investigators Arianna Sassone and Denise Long (617) Resident Trust Funds: Ohio Attorney General DeWine announced on February 3 that in lieu of conviction Ashley Burch was accepted into the county diversion program. On October 21, 2013, an indictment was filed charging Burch with one count of theft from an elderly person, one count of theft, and one count of misuse of credit card. Burch was a resident assistant who worked at Country Club Retirement Center. Burch without permission used a resident s credit card for withdrawals and purchases totaling $ For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Maritsa Flaherty (614) 466- Attorney General DeWine announced on March 3 that Tiffany Roberts pleaded guilty to one count of theft from the elderly and was sentenced to serve 60 days in jail, five years of community control, six months suspended jail sentence, 250 hours of community service. 22

23 On December 14, 2012, an indictment was filed charging Roberts with one count of theft from the elderly. Roberts, an aide at The Inn at Fairfield Village, took money from several residents at the facility. For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Constance Nearhood (614) Attorney General DeWine announced on March 26 that Robert McFarland pleaded guilty to theft from the elderly, and was sentenced to an 18 month suspended jail sentence, three years of community control, and ordered to pay $13,411 in restitution. On November 7, 2013, an indictment was filed charging McFarland with one count of theft from the elderly. McFarland used his father s Social Security income checks for his own benefit For further information contact Assistant Attorney General Maritsa Flaherty (614) 466- Resident Trust Funds: Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum announced on March 6 the conviction and sentencing of Gary Lee Brink. Brink was convicted following a bench trial of 60 counts of criminal mistreatment in the first degree, one count of aggravated theft in the first degree, two counts of theft in the first degree, 24 counts of theft in the second degree, four counts of theft in the third degree and two counts of forgery. The charges stem from Brink, who was the Director of Ocean Crest Assisted Living Facility, stealing from 24 residents from August of 2009 through December of In total, Brink siphoned over $51,000 of resident funds into his own personal bank accounts. Brink was sentenced to nine years in prison, and ordered him to pay full restitution to the victims within 30 days. For further information contact Senior Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Ballard (971) Resident Trust Funds: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 4 that David Tony Duran was indicted by a state grand jury for misapplication of fiduciary/finance property of the elderly. Duran, business office manager of Slaton Care Center, allegedly stole money from the residents trust fund accounts. Attorney General Abbott announced on April 16 that Weldon Troy Dollens was indicted by a state grand jury for theft. Dollens, while employed as the administrator at Woodland 23

24 Springs Nursing Center, allegedly stole $22,305 from the residents trust accounts. Dollens, the trustee on the accounts, allegedly issued checks to cash which he later used for his own benefit. For further information on both cases contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) Social Workers: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on March 14 that licensed clinical social worker Douglas Keith Hall was indicted by a state grand jury for theft aggregate and Medicaid fraud. Hall allegedly billed Medicaid and Medicare for services he did not provide, including billing for services provided while he was out of the country. For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512) CASE UPDATE: Durable Medical Equipment: Texas Attorney General Abbott announced on April 14 that Jerry Carl Bullard was sentenced in federal court to 33 months incarceration with three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $317,779 in restitution joint and several with co-defendant Okey Nwagbara. Bullard pleaded guilty in February 2012 to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. He allegedly conspired with Nwagbara, owner of Advanced Medequip & Supplies. Bullard was the DME supervisor of Medistat Group Associates, owned by Jacques A. Roy, MD, when he allegedly conspired with Nwagbara to provide false doctor's prescriptions with which Nwagbara billed Medicaid and Medicare approximately $400,000, for products and services his company did not provide. Dr. Roy is awaiting trial for certifying patients for home health services not medically necessary and for services not rendered. The loss associated with Dr. Roy exceeds $357 million. Nwagbara pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years of incarceration and was ordered to joint and several pay $317,779 in restitution. (See Medicaid Fraud Report, January/February 2012, p. 5) For further information contact Rick Copeland, Director or Chief Investigator Travis Tucker (512)

25 Inquires on editorial content should be addressed to: Barbara L. Zelner Executive Director National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units 2030 M Street NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC [email protected] J.B. Van Hollen Rodney Hopkinson James McPherson President President Executive Director National Association National Association National Association of of of Attorneys General Medicaid Fraud Control Units Attorneys General The views and opinions of authors expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily state or reflect those of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). This newsletter does not provide any legal advice and is not a substitute for the procurement of such services from a legal professional. NAAG does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Any use and/or copies of the publication in whole or part must include the customary bibliographic citation. NAAG retains copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the material presented in the publications. Copyright 2014, National Association of Attorneys General 25

26 INDEX OF CASES AUDIOLOGISTS... 2 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH... 2 COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS... 3 COUNSELORS... 3 DENTAL PROVIDER... 4 DRUG DIVERSION Erica Shea Banks... 5 James Melvin Bradshaw... 5 Susan Michelle Collier... 4 Mary Bessard Michael... 4 Stephanie Kay Toppings... 4 DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Jerry Carl Bullard Grace Garzu Cantu, Aurelia Vargas, Maria Elena Vela... 5 James Claude Newman... 5 Yolanda Rene Nowlin... 5 HOME HEALTH CARE Glenn Alston... 9 Denise Bond Charles George Caltabiano... 6 Beverly Cousin, Rashad Cousin... 6 Tiamila Michelle Davis Chanell Robin Flock Tasha Gaudette Chase Gebearty Jessica Getchell... 7 Shane Gonzales and Erinn Parsons Antonia Michelle Harris and Charles Harris David Kilgore... 9 Eunmi Kim Robert Knisely... 8 Tammy Lawrence... 8 Ashley Martin Susan Maziarz Peter Onyewuenyi Gloria Owens Christopher Peterson... 8 Elizabeth Pettibone

27 INDEX OF CASES Erica Pettit Emily Pigg... 9 Francesca Steinhart Dean Westwood and Trista Westwood Richard Weldon Denise Wildasin Paul White... 7 Amber Wills NURSES Nicole Meier Russell Scherer Rosemary Watson PERSONAL CARE SERVICES PHARMACIES PHYSICIANS Stella Ucheoma Akwarandu, Augustine Egbunike, Charles harris, Loretta Akosa Mbadgha 18 Richard Ng... 1 Jeffrey Dale St. John and Lawrence Dale St. John Mohammad Zaim Nawaz and Zille Huma Shah PHYSICIAN RECRUITERS Mardesy Delaine Henderson and Untwan Lewis Wallace Nelson Lee Wallace PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT SERVICES PSYCHIATRISTS RESIDENT ABUSE Felicia Michelle Duckett, Chamertra Lashun Robinson, and Virginia Ruth Smith Joseph Pedro Martinez Rose Marie Quintero RESIDENT NEGLECT RESIDENT TRUST FUNDS Gary Lee Brink Ashley Burch Welden Troy Dollens David Tony Duran Robert McFarland Tiffany Roberts

28 INDEX OF CASES Laura Siano SOCIAL WORKERS