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U.S. Department of Justice Stephen J. Murphy Suite 2001 |
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For Immediate Release: June 8, 2007 |
EVENT: Complaint
Defendant: James Beckmon et al
ELEVEN CHARGED WITH HEALTH CARE FRAUD
Eleven Medicare beneficiaries were charged in a criminal complaint committing over $300,000 in health care fraud, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced today.
Murphy was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Thomas Spokaeski, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General and Gregory W. Anderson, Vice President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Named in the complaint were James Beckmon, 51, Robert Cammon, 70, Willie Campbell, Jr., 56, Timothy Crawford, 48, Willie Augusta-Carter Devereaux, 64, Rosemary Echols, 42, Brenda Ann Fair-Haggen, 55, Joe Willie King, 80, Ruth Lee Miles, 56, Lorine Thompson, 78 and Chester Williams, 50. All reside in the metropolitan Detroit area.
The supporting affidavit alleges the above-named beneficiaries received cash for signing and filling out documentation indicating that he or she received therapy when, in fact, no therapy services were provided. Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield were defrauded in excess of $300,000.
United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said, "False claims to our Medicare system, or to insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield are federal offenses that we take very seriously. I commend the FBI, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the investigators of Blue Cross Blue Shield for their thorough investigation of this case."
A conviction for this offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a $250,000 fine, or both. Any sentence will ultimately be imposed under the United States Sentence Guidelines according to the nature of the offense and the criminal background, if any, of the defendant.
A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, Department Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General with the assistance of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Anyone who has information regarding healthcare fraud is urged to call the toll free BCBSM Anti Fraud Hotline at 1-800-482-3787 or the FBI at 313-965-2323.