By Charles E. Ramirez
June 28, 2024
Source: The Detroit News
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Seven people with ties to Michigan have been charged in a federal crackdown on health care fraud, officials said.
Yvette Hardy, 60, Vijil Rahulan, 52, Bashier Sammour, 28, Ibrahim Sammour, 63, Ruby Scott, 53, and Amro Sharafeldin, 40, are each being charged with crimes in federal court in Detroit, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.
Hardy and both Sammours are Wayne County residents, while Rahulan is a citizen of India, Scott is an Oakland County resident and Sharafeldin lives in Michigan, authorities reported.
All six were among 193 people charged by prosecutors in various scams that defrauded the federal government of nearly $3 billion through false insurance claims. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges Thursday.
Hardy has been charged for her role in an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $3.4 million from Medicare, said Dawn Ison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Hardy, who owned and operated Pebble Brook Care Agency LLC, allegedly submitted false and fraudulent Medicare claims for psychotherapy services that were not provided as represented or not rendered at all, according to authorities.
Court records did not list an attorney for Hardy.
Rahulan, a doctor in India, is accused of being part of an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $82 million from Medicare, Ison said. The doctor allegedly submitted false claims for medical equipment and genetic testing that were unnecessary or ineligible for Medicare reimbursement, according to prosecutors. They also allege Rahulan cost the federal government nearly $29 million.
Court records did not list an attorney for Rahulan.
Bashier Sammour and Ibrahim Sammour are charged with submitting more than $2 million in false and fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care services through their company, Individualized Home Health Care P.C., Ison said. The services were either medically unnecessary, not provided as represented, or not rendered.
She said Bashier Sammour was also charged with making false statements relating to health care matters. In addition, Ibrahim Sammour was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud, she said.
Furthermore, five other people associated with the Sammour's company — two registered nurses, two group homeowners, and a licensed practical nurse — have also been charged for their involvement in the operation, according to authorities.
Bashier Sammour's attorney, Maria Mannarino, said Friday she has no comment about the case at this time.
Ibrahim Sammour's attorney, Michael Rataj, also said Friday he has no comment.
Scott is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $2.2 million in Medicare funds, Ison said. Officials allege she submitted fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care services through her company, Delta Home Health Care LLC. Scott allegedly paid patient recruiters illegal kickbacks, according to investigators.
Scott's attorney, Brent Jaffe, said Friday that his client will defend herself in court against the allegations.
Sharafeldin, who operated Prestige Specialty Pharmacy in Sterling Heights, was allegedly part of a scheme that billed Medicare more than $1 million in February and March 2023. Officials said he paid bribes and kickbacks to illegally acquire Medicare beneficiary information used to submit claims for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, regardless of whether clients requested them.
Sharafeldin's attorney was not immediately available for comment Friday.
"Medicare is an essential safety net for seniors and individuals with disabilities," Ison said in a statement. "The Department of Justice and my office are committed to investigating and prosecuting those who steal taxpayer funds intended to protect vulnerable members of our community."
Also Thursday, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten said a Kalamazoo doctor pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of more than $794,000.
Theresa Kordish has admitted to using a telehealth application to improperly approve orders for medical braces and genetic testing, Totten said.
Authorities said she signed and certified orders medically necessary for a particular patient on Medicare but never conducted any meaningful exams.
Prosecutors charged Kordish in June with making a false statement in a matter involving the Medicare program. Officials said she will be arraigned on the charge and a plea hearing will be held in July.
Court records did not list an attorney for Kordish.
Under her plea deal, she admitted to working with Real Time Physicians LLC, a purported telehealth company, to approve orders for medical braces and genetic testing. The company created and maintained an internet-based exchange that produced fraudulent medical records used to make fraudulent Medicare claims.
In June 2022, a federal court judge sentenced Real Time’s owner, Marc Sporn, to 14 years in prison for his role in the scheme.
Kordish admitted she approved most orders in less than 60 seconds and some in as little as 20 seconds.
"Medicare is a lifeline to millions of Americans, and its viability depends on the good faith and honesty of doctors to ensure that funds are spent appropriately," Totten said in a statement. "When doctors violate their sacred trust, they damage the integrity of our entire health care system. My office has zero tolerance for medical fraud."
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