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Medicaid

Stamford Woman Swindled $300K From State Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police Stamford Woman Swindled $300K From State Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police
Stamford Woman Swindled $300K From State Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police A 59-year-old Connecticut woman faces decades in prison after state investigators claim she stole more than $300,000 from Medicaid by submitting false claims and changing patient's medical records.  Iselande Desyr, of Stamford in Fairfield County, is charged with one count each of health insurance fraud and larceny in the first degree by defrauding the public community, the state's Division of Criminal Justice said.  Desyr was the owner of Holistic Psychiatric Services, LLC, which claims to treat a variety of disorders in children and adults with holistic means on its website…
New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say
New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say A Fairfield County counselor with a business in Stamford defrauded Medicaid by billing thousands in fraudulent claims for services he did not provide. According to state judicial officials, Andrew R. Golden, age 56, of New Canaan, was sentenced to three years in prison, which was suspended, and five years of conditional discharge.  The judge ordered Golden to pay $80,328.19 in restitution and to not act as a Medicaid provider or provide services to any Medicaid recipient. Golden has paid the restitution, said officials with the state Division of Criminal Justice,  The division sa…
Longtime CT Eye Doctor Sentenced For Bogus Brain Scan Scheme Longtime CT Eye Doctor Sentenced For Bogus Brain Scan Scheme
Longtime CT Eye Doctor Sentenced For Bogus Brain Scan Scheme A longtime ophthalmologist in Connecticut will have to pay back over $1 million and spend time in federal lockup after confessing that he ordered unnecessary brain scans to line his pockets. Hartford County resident Donald Salzberg, age 69, of Avon, was sentenced to one year in prison in Boston federal court on Thursday, May 9. It came nearly two years after Salzberg, who operated Salzberg, M.D. on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford for nearly 40 years, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and receive kickbacks. Earlier Report: Popular CT Eye Doctor Admits To Tak…
Medicaid Fraud Scheme: CT Man Sentenced For Stealing $900K Medicaid Fraud Scheme: CT Man Sentenced For Stealing $900K
Medicaid Fraud Scheme: CT Man Sentenced For Stealing $900K A Connecticut man who posed as a counselor was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay back more than $900,000 after pleading no contest to a large Medicaid fraud scheme.  Hartford County resident Ramon Apellaniz, 39, of East Hartford, will serve 15 months in prison for submitting thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicaid for services provided by unlicensed personnel and services not provided, as well as for stealing the identity of a licensed professional to submit the fraudulent claims.  Apellaniz, who has paid $156,000 in restitution, was also ordered to repay with the remainin…
$1.6M Scheme: CT Psychologist Admits Submitting Fraudulent Medicaid Claims $1.6M Scheme: CT Psychologist Admits Submitting Fraudulent Medicaid Claims
$1.6M Scheme: CT Psychologist Admits Submitting Fraudulent Medicaid Claims A 75-year-old psychologist from Connecticut has admitted to submitting false Medicaid claims as part of a more than $1.6 million scheme, federal officials announced.  Hartford County resident Michael Pines of Avon, a Glastonbury-based psychologist, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud charges on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Pines, who owned and operated Michael B. Pines, Ph.D., P.C., provided psychotherapy to young children, adolescents, and adults and had been individually enrolled…
Man Who Ripped Off Medicaid While Employed With Greenwich Police Avoids Jail Man Who Ripped Off Medicaid While Employed With Greenwich Police Avoids Jail
Man Who Ripped Off Medicaid While Employed With Greenwich Police Avoids Jail A Fairfield County man who was working as a police officer has avoided jail for Medicaid fraud but must repay monies stolen. Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin Friday, said on Friday, Jan. 5 that  Michael Mastronardi, age 49, of Shelton, was sentenced to a three-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to one count of cruelty to persons. In addition, he was ordered to pay $57,278.24 in restitution to the Department of Social Services to reimburse the Medicaid program. An investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined that between August 2014 and April 2019, Ma…
New Canaan Man Accused Of Ripping Off Medicaid For $80K New Canaan Man Accused Of Ripping Off Medicaid For $80K
New Canaan Man Accused Of Ripping Off Medicaid For $80K A Fairfield County man was charged with allegedly submitting fraudulent claims to the government for services that were not rendered. Andrew R. Golden, age 55, of New Canaan, was arrested Monday, Dec. 18, by inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney. He was charged with larceny by defrauding a public community and health insurance fraud. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Golden is a licensed professional counselor, listed as an individual practitioner and owner of a Stamford practice.  Between January 2020 and July 2022, Gold…
Stamford Woman Accused Of Ripping Off Medicaid For Thousands Stamford Woman Accused Of Ripping Off Medicaid For Thousands
Stamford Woman Accused Of Ripping Off Medicaid For Thousands A Fairfield County woman who worked as a personal care service staff was charged with billing Medicaid for personal care services while the client was incarcerated or inpatient. Latasia Robertson, age 30, of Stamford, was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 6, by Inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.  She was charged with larceny by defrauding a public community and health insurance fraud, said the Chief State's Attorney Office. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, between August 2021 and March 2022, Robertson billed for support servic…
Weeks-Long Cyberattack Brings 3 CT Hospitals To Their Knees Weeks-Long Cyberattack Brings 3 CT Hospitals To Their Knees
Weeks-Long Cyberattack Brings 3 CT Hospitals To Their Knees A cyberattack on three Connecticut hospitals affected patient care so severely that many were sitting on the floors of emergency rooms bringing the operation of the group to its knees financially. The attack took place in August and affected Waterbury Hospital in New Haven County; Manchester Hospital in Hartford County, and Rockville General in Tolland County. All three are part of Prospect Medical Holdings, based in Connecticut, according to reporting from the CT Mirror. The cyberattack also affected medical offices affiliated with the hospitals. Thinking the attack would last for a …
CT Hearing Aid Dealer Gets Years In Prison For Submitting False Medicaid Claims CT Hearing Aid Dealer Gets Years In Prison For Submitting False Medicaid Claims
CT Hearing Aid Dealer Gets Years In Prison For Submitting False Medicaid Claims The 54-year-old owner of a Connecticut hearing aid dealer will spend several years in prison for submitting false claims to the state's Medicaid program for services and equipment that were not provided or were medically unnecessary.  New Haven County resident Dennis Dellaghelfa, age 54, of Waterbury, was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 6 to four years in prison for health care fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Dellaghelfa, a licensed hearing instrument specialist, is the owner of Waterbury-based hea…
$695K Scheme: Former CT Counselor Convicted Of Submitting False Medicaid Claims $695K Scheme: Former CT Counselor Convicted Of Submitting False Medicaid Claims
$695K Scheme: Former CT Counselor Convicted Of Submitting False Medicaid Claims A former New London County counselor has admitted to submitting thousands of dollars of fraudulent claims to Medicaid for therapy services he never provided, officials said.  Former East Lyme resident Jeffrey Slocum, age 55, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud and kickback charges on Wednesday, Aug. 16, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, between 2017 and 2022, Slocum, who now lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a licensed professional counselor with a New London office located at 300 State St.  …
Medicaid Fraud: CT Health Practice Charged For Services Provided By Unlicensed People, Feds Say Medicaid Fraud: CT Health Practice Charged For Services Provided By Unlicensed People, Feds Say
Medicaid Fraud: CT Health Practice Charged For Services Provided By Unlicensed People, Feds Say A Connecticut behavioral health practice based in New Haven County defrauded the state's Medicaid program by knowingly billing it for services performed by unlicensed individuals, officials said.  Hamden-based practice K-Assist, owned by Kelly Stutzman, entered into a more than $234,000 civil settlement agreement with both the federal and Connecticut state government to resolve allegations that the practice violated federal and state False Claims Acts, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Tuesday, April 18.  According to federal officials…
Newtown Psychologist Admits To $79K Medicaid Fraud Newtown Psychologist Admits To $79K Medicaid Fraud
Newtown Psychologist Admits To $79K Medicaid Fraud A Newtown psychologist and advanced registered nurse pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicaid by billing the government health insurance program for thousands of dollars. Jeannie Pasacreta, age 66, of Newtown, pleaded guilty Wednesday, March 29, to one count of health insurance fraud. In addition, she was ordered to pay $79,418.77 in restitution. An investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney determined that over a two-year period beginning in 2016, Pasacreta, through her firm Mental Health Services, billed Medicaid for hundreds of claims for se…
Woman From Fairfield County Admits Committing Fraud While Awaiting Sentencing In Other Case Woman From Fairfield County Admits Committing Fraud While Awaiting Sentencing In Other Case
Woman From Fairfield County Admits Committing Fraud While Awaiting Sentencing In Other Case A 32-year-old former Farifield County resident pleaded guilty to a health care fraud offense that she committed while waiting to be sentenced for a separate health care fraud charge. Nicole Steiner, a former Stratford resident, pleaded guilty to the charge on Friday, July 29, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Steiner, who is now a resident of Edison, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud on April 28, in relation to the operation of Helping Hands Academy, LLC in Bridgeport, which offered app…
CT Business Owner Ordered To Pay $310K For Employing 'Excluded' Person, Feds Say CT Business Owner Ordered To Pay $310K For Employing 'Excluded' Person, Feds Say
CT Business Owner Ordered To Pay $310K For Employing 'Excluded' Person, Feds Say A Connecticut psychiatry business and its owner have been ordered to pay more than $310,000 to resolve allegations that they improperly employed an individual who was excluded from federal health care programs. Geriatric & Adult Psychiatry, LLC and its owner Dr. Alan Siegal entered into the civil settlement agreement with federal and state governments, according to an announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 23, from Leonard Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The Hamden business and Siegal were ordered to pay a total of $310,874, the US Attorney's Office announce…
Doctor In Fairfield County Accused Of Selling Prescriptions For Cash Doctor In Fairfield County Accused Of Selling Prescriptions For Cash
Doctor In Fairfield County Accused Of Selling Prescriptions For Cash A Fairfield County doctor has been charged by federal officials with health care fraud and selling prescriptions for cash. Dr. David Ciancimino, age 62, a resident of Trumbull, was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 23, on a federal criminal complaint charging him with health care fraud and controlled substances offenses related to the illegal distribution of prescription medication, said Leonard C Boyle, acting US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, Ciancimino has been a sole practitioner practicing psychiatry and neurology/ps…
CT Woman Accused Of $1.9M Fraud Scheme CT Woman Accused Of $1.9M Fraud Scheme
CT Woman Accused Of $1.9M Fraud Scheme A Connecticut woman has been arrested and charged for her role in an alleged near $2 million Medicaid health insurance scheme, officials announced. Litchfield County resident Catherine Risigo-Wickline, of Watertown, the owner of Therapy Unlimited was arrested by Inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney on Tuesday, March 9 for allegedly billing Medicaid for treatment that patients never received. Specifically, Risigo-Wickline, 55, was charged with larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, health insurance fraud, and two c…
CT Nurse Admits To Illegally Writing Prescriptions For Oxycodone, Xanax CT Nurse Admits To Illegally Writing Prescriptions For Oxycodone, Xanax
CT Nurse Admits To Illegally Writing Prescriptions For Oxycodone, Xanax A registered nurse in Connecticut is facing prison time for allegedly writing hundreds of illegal prescriptions that were used to obtain thousands of Oxycodone and Xanax pills. Cheshire resident Lisa Alexander, 54, pleaded guilty in New Haven district court to a charge stemming from her writing prescriptions or controlled substances that were not used for legitimate medical purposes. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that prior to her arrest, Alexander was a licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and held a DEA controlled substance registration that allowed her to prescribe Schedule II th…
New Haven Guidance Counselor Accused Of Rampant Fraud New Haven Guidance Counselor Accused Of Rampant Fraud
New Haven Guidance Counselor Accused Of Rampant Fraud An Avon counselor who worked in the New Haven Public School District allegedly billed Medicaid hundreds of times for services he never provided - and at least some of those charges were made while he was on a cruise to the Bahamas. Cortney Dunlap, 36, of Avon, was arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and charged with health care fraud and making false statements relating to health care matters, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut. Dunlap, a licensed professional counselor, allegedly used the identities of his clients, students, and employee to file false claims for psychotherapy…
Fairfield County Man Sold Oxycodone, Suboxone To Undercover Officers, Police Say Fairfield County Man Sold Oxycodone, Suboxone To Undercover Officers, Police Say
Fairfield County Man Sold Oxycodone, Suboxone To Undercover Officers, Police Say A 56-year-old Fairfield County man was arrested after police conducted an undercover sting and learned that he was selling prescription medications and narcotics paid for by Medicaid.  Anthony Spetrino, of Norwalk, reportedly sold Oxycodone, Clonazepam and Suboxone to Special Services Division members of the Norwalk Police Department during the month of May 2020.  Spetrino was arrested on Monday, Oct. 5 and charged with two felony counts of sale of narcotics, two felony counts of sale of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance. His…
Healthcare Provider In Fairfield County Ordered To Pay $354K For Improper Billing Healthcare Provider In Fairfield County Ordered To Pay $354K For Improper Billing
Healthcare Provider In Fairfield County Ordered To Pay $354K For Improper Billing A healthcare organization that provides substance abuse and mental health services in Fairfield County, has agreed to pay more than $350,000 in restitution for overcharging for certain services. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Recovery Network of Programs Inc. (RNP) has entered into a civil settlement with the government to pay $354,367 to resolve allegations that it caused overpayments for urine drug testing services to be paid by the Connecticut Medicaid Program. RNP provides behavioral health and substance use disorder services to Medicaid beneficiaries. An audit by the State of Co…
Danbury Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Pays $295K For Improper Billing Danbury Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Pays $295K For Improper Billing
Danbury Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Pays $295K For Improper Billing A substance abuse treatment center with locations in Fairfield County has agreed to pay nearly $300,000 to settle allegations of improper billing over the course of several months. Connecticut Counseling Centers (CCC), which operates methadone clinics in Danbury and throughout Connecticut, will pay the state and federal government $295,211 in a settlement involving overpaying for drug testing, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. According to Durham, CCC is a healthcare organization that provides outpatient substance abuse and mental health services in Connecticut, with clinics located in F…
CT Husband/Wife Physicians Pay Nearly $5M To Settle False Claims Act Allegations CT Husband/Wife Physicians Pay Nearly $5M To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
CT Husband/Wife Physicians Pay Nearly $5M To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Two doctors in Connecticut will pay out nearly $5 million to settle a claim that they defrauded the Medicaid program. Middletown resident Crispin Abarientos, and his wife, Antonieta Abarientos, have reached a civil settlement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $4,927,903 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts. Crispin Abarientos and his wife owned and operated Middlesex Rheumatology in Middletown, which specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and related conditions, U.S.Attorney John …
Man Who Admitted Killing Family, Dog Faced Fraud Probe In Connecticut Man Who Admitted Killing Family, Dog Faced Fraud Probe In Connecticut
Man Who Admitted Killing Family, Dog Faced Fraud Probe In Connecticut The 44-year-old father of three from Connecticut accused of killing his wife, children and family dog in Florida was reportedly being accused by federal investigators for insurance fraud over the span of several years. Anthony Todt, of Colchester, Connecticut, reportedly confessed to killing his family in Celebration, Florida, last month after being taken into custody by Osceola Sheriff’s deputies. Deputies were called to a residence in Florida on Monday, Jan. 13, to the home that the Todt family was leasing. A man - now identified as Todt - was seen taken away in handcuffs, and officials …
CT Obesity Rates Better Than US Average, New Data Reveals CT Obesity Rates Better Than US Average, New Data Reveals
CT Obesity Rates Better Than US Average, New Data Reveals New data ranking the adult obesity rate in each state shows that Connecticut is ahead of the curve in terms of the national average. The data, released by the nonprofit organization, Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), shows that 27.4 percent of Connecticut residents are considered obese by modern health standards, putting the state in the 44th spot. The national average, on the other hand, was found to be 30.9 percent. Nationwide obesity rates were studied as part of the 16th annual State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America report, released Thursday, Sept. 12.  Based p…
Alleged Kidnapper Admits To Lying To Hide Identity, Get Federal Benefits Alleged Kidnapper Admits To Lying To Hide Identity, Get Federal Benefits
Alleged Kidnapper Admits To Lying To Hide Identity, Get Federal Benefits A Canadian man who allegedly kidnapped his toddler in Canada before changing his name and hiding in America for three decades before his arrest in Connecticut has pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court. Allan Mann, Jr., also known as Hailee Randolph DeSouza and Hailey R. DeSouza, 66, pleaded guilty to a false statement offense related to his living in the U.S. under an assumed name for approximately 30 years. Mann abducted his 21-month-old, Jermaine Allan Mann, in Canada in 1987 during a court-ordered visit in Toronto. He then came to America, and acquired counterfeit birth certificates …
Ex-Fairfield County Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Her Role In $2.5M Medicaid Fraud Schemes Ex-Fairfield County Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Her Role In $2.5M Medicaid Fraud Schemes
Ex-Fairfield County Doctor Sentenced To Prison For Her Role In $2.5M Medicaid Fraud Schemes A doctor in Fairfield County will spend time behind bars after admitting to her role in a pair of schemes to defraud Medicaid out of more than $2.5 million. Juliet Jacob, formerly of Bridgeport, was sentenced to one year and a day in prison after she pleaded guilty in Bridgeport District Court to one count of health care fraud stemming from a scheme that lasted several years last year. She must also pay a total of $2,711,173 in restitution connected to the schemes. Beginning in January 2012, Jacob and another person operated Traditional Development and Training and It Takes A Promise in Bri…
Greenwich Police Officer Accused Of Ripping Off $57K From Medicaid Greenwich Police Officer Accused Of Ripping Off $57K From Medicaid
Greenwich Police Officer Accused Of Ripping Off $57K From Medicaid A Greenwich police officer has been placed on administrative leave after the department learned he was part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Officer Michael Mastronardi, who has been with the department for 18 years, was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this week after the Department was notified by the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney of an ongoing criminal investigation involving him, said Greenwich Police Lt. John Slusarz.  Mastronardi, of Shelton, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 7, on charges of larceny and health insurance fraud, according to the state Division…
CT Doctor, Practice Pay $425K to Settle Improper Billing Allegations CT Doctor, Practice Pay $425K to Settle Improper Billing Allegations
CT Doctor, Practice Pay $425K to Settle Improper Billing Allegations A Connecticut doctor and his practice have reached a civil settlement with federal and state governments to pay nearly $500,000 to resolve allegations of improperly billing Medicare and state Medicaid programs. Mark Thimineur, who owns Comprehensive Pain and Headache Treatment Centers - an interventional pain management practice with offices in Derby and Meriden - reached a settlement of $425,000, which resolves allegations of improper billing. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that the charges against Thimineur and his practice arose out of improper billing of drug tests. It is alleged that…
Bridgeport Woman Sentenced For ID Theft, Health Care Fraud Bridgeport Woman Sentenced For ID Theft, Health Care Fraud
Bridgeport Woman Sentenced For ID Theft, Health Care Fraud A woman from Fairfield County is heading to prison after admitting to her role in stealing identifying information of more than 150 Medicaid patients to steal more than a million dollars. Bridgeport resident Nikkita Chesney, 46, was sentenced in Bridgeport district court to seven months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a Medicaid fraud scheme. Chesney pleaded guilty in October last year to one count of health care fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. She must also pay restitution of $1,369,654.57. In May 2012, Chesney was employed by a…
Social Worker Pays $145,855 To Settle False Claims Allegations Social Worker Pays $145,855 To Settle False Claims Allegations
Social Worker Pays $145,855 To Settle False Claims Allegations A social worker in Connecticut has agreed to pay nearly $150,000 after billing Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were provided by unlicensed individuals. Cheshire resident Patricia McAlinden, who owns a private practice in Connecticut, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state government to pay $145,855 to resolve claims that she violated False Claims Acts. McAlinden will also be suspended from the Connecticut Medicaid Program for three years as part of the settlement. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that McAlinden, a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicia…