Robert M. Clark, a 29-year-old resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, admitted his involvement in a fraudulent scheme aimed at defrauding Medicare. Clark, acting as the figurehead owner of Clear Choice Diagnostics Inc.
(Clear Choice), played a central role in unlawfully billing Medicare for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits and genetic tests.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Court documents revealed that Clark and his co-conspirators, including the true owner of Clear Choice, obtained Medicare Beneficiary Identification numbers illegally.
These numbers were then used to bill Medicare for ineligible over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits and to pay illegal kickbacks for referrals of Medicare beneficiaries for genetic tests.
The fraudulent claims totaled approximately $30 million, with Medicare paying out around $15 million.
Guilty Plea and Potential Sentence
Clark pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, paying illegal health care kickbacks, and purchasing Medicare Beneficiary Identification numbers without lawful authority.
He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, with a sentencing date yet to be determined. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge based on various factors.
Announcement by Justice Department Officials
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) jointly announced Clark’s guilty plea.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, with Trial Attorney S. Babu Kaza of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which has been instrumental in prosecuting thousands of defendants involved in fraudulent schemes.
Share on Facebook «||»
Share on Twitter «||»
Share on Reddit «||»
Share on LinkedIn
California Man Found Guilty in Federal Court for Orchestrating a $2.8 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme Targeting Hospice Services: In a significant legal development, a federal jury delivered a conviction against a California man for his involvement in a sophisticated scheme aimed at defrauding...
Florida Nurse Practitioner Convicted in $200 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme: A Costly Conviction A federal jury in Miami has delivered a verdict with significant consequences, convicting a Florida nurse practitioner for her pivotal role in...
California Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Insurance Fraud Scheme Worth $359 Million: COVID-19 Insurance Fraud Guilty Plea A California woman has entered a guilty plea for her involvement in a significant insurance fraud scheme related to COVID-19...
Florida Man and Woman Convicted in $93 Million Medicare Fraud Conspiracy: A federal jury in Miami has rendered convictions against a Florida man and woman for their involvement in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare by billing...
Doctor Sentenced in $12 Million Medicare Fraud and Device Adulteration Scheme: A California doctor was sentenced today to 93 months in prison for defrauding Medicare, re-packaging single-use catheters for re-use on patients, and submitting false declarations...
California Man Pleads Guilty in a Multi-Year Tax Fraud Scheme, Faces Decade-Long Prison Term: Guilty Plea in Tax Fraud Scheme Richard Jason Mountford from California pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme that involved filing false claims against the...
Ten Florida Residents Indicted for $67 Million Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, Kickback, and Money Laundering Scheme: Ten Florida residents were charged in an indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida for their alleged roles in a $67 million health...
Chief Compliance Officer Sentenced for $50M Medicare Fraud Scheme: A Florida man was sentenced today to four years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $21. 7 million in restitution for his...
Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Role in Immigration Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme: An Israeli national pleaded guilty today to his role in a conspiracy to launder money and facilitate the illegal entry, harboring, and transporting of noncitizens...
New York Man Pleads Guilty in Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Scheme Involving Unsuspecting Credit Union: In a significant legal development, a New York man, Gyanendra Asre, has pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program,...
