9 Defendants Charged in Chicago Area for Paying and Receiving Kickbacks for Medicare Referrals
On September 25, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois announced that 9 defendants, including two owners of a home health care agency and two physicians, were indicted for receiving kickbacks in exchange for referrals of Medicare patients.
The defendants include the following:
· Ana Nerissa Tolentino, a registered nurse
· Frederick Magsino, part owner of Rosner Home Healthcare Inc.
· Edgardo Hernal, a former employee of Rosner
· Emmanuel Nwaokocha, physician
· Masood Syed, physican
· Jenette George, operator of the Ttenej Senior Referral Agency
· Jennifer Holman, office manager at doctor’s office
· Titis Jackson, marketer for Rosner
· Carla Phillips-Williams, marketer for Rosner
As indicated by the indictment, Tolentino, Magsino, and Hernal all conspired with other defendants to pay kickbacks and bribes to doctors in return for the doctors recommending the services at Rosner. The FBI reports that the kickbacks mostly ranged from $300 to $600 every time a new patient completed five home health visits.
According to the FBI, Rosner received roughly $13 million from Medicare between January 2008 and January 2012. The following parties are believed to have received the following kickbacks:
· Nwaokocha- $4,800
· Syed- $1,500
· Jackson- $24,000
· George- $13,500
· Phillips-Williams- $3,000
According to the FBI, conspiracy and each count of violating an anti-kickback statute carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Health care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team under the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The FBI reminds the public that the defendants only faced indictments, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Halley Guren is represented the government in this case.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Comments
Must Read
Mail Fraud Quick OverviewMail fraud refers to any deceitful crime that includes the use of the postal system.
Accountant Fraud At A GlanceAccountant fraud (or corporate accounting scandals) often occurs as a result of an accountant not disclosing factual statements to their clients (individuals or businesses) about the state of their finances.
All You Need To Know About Mail Fraud ChargesMail fraud charges are used most frequently in federal white collar crime cases to either make an initial charge or add a charge to a list of existing ones.
All You Need To Know About Reporting BlindnessOne of the most common disability fraud types Disability fraud falling into the category of "reporting blindness" can also include criminals taking advantage of acts intended to help the legally blind return to work.
All You Need to Know About Supreme Court CasesThere are two cases that involve the proper criminal procedure involving the prosecution of wire fraud.
All You Need to Know About The History Identity TheftIdentity theft, though it has taken on new forms and has become significantly more common, is not a new crime.
Bait and Switch DefinitionIt may not necessarily be all that obvious all the time, but the bait and switch tactic used by both the retail and political world should be of no surprise to people living in nations which are fueled by consumerism and politics.
Bankruptcy Fraud At A GlanceBankruptcy fraud is any kind of fraud involving filing for bankruptcy in an attempt to gain some kind of profit from the overall scheme.