TL/DR –
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has carried out its largest ever takedown of healthcare fraud, involving two cases in South Carolina among others nationwide. The DOJ prosecuted 324 people overall for alleged involvement in fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes, worth a combined $14.6 billion in false billings and over 15 million illegally diverted pills. The two South Carolina cases include Tina Marie Armstrong, charged with healthcare fraud and aggravated identity theft for deceitful Medicare and Medicaid claims, and Dee Alice Moton, charged with healthcare fraud for billing the Veterans Administration for unrendered services.
DOJ’s Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown Involves Two South Carolina Cases
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated its largest ever healthcare fraud takedown, involving two significant cases from South Carolina. This unprecedented action was announced by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson in a joint press conference with North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and other law enforcement representatives.
According to U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling, this demonstrates their firm commitment to “protecting vulnerable citizens, especially our veterans, and maintaining the integrity of programs designed for their care.” The defendants are accused of defrauding programs for the elderly and disabled and converting illegally diverted controlled substances.
The DOJ’s nationwide crackdown involved charges against a total of 324 people across the country, with alleged false billings amounting to $14.6 billion and over 15 million pills of illicitly diverted controlled substances. Moreover, the government seized assets worth over $245 million, including cash and luxury vehicles.
Among the first South Carolina defendants is 67-year-old Tina Marie Armstrong of Florence, charged with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Armstrong is accused of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid through her company for medical equipment that had been discontinued, not delivered, or unauthorized by a physician. False claims totaling $198,981.55 were allegedly filed, with $104,577.74 being paid out.
The second charged individual is Dee Alice Moton, a 51-year-old from Georgia, who allegedly billed the Veterans Administration fraudulently for services not rendered through her massage therapy business in South Carolina. Moton allegedly submitted false billing of $2,373,147.22 over two years. Her fraudulent charges include billing for treatments not provided or unauthorized, such as wheelchair therapy for a veteran who does not use a wheelchair.
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