Our nation has certainly seen its fair share of drug dealers and fraudsters. Sadly, many of those individuals are one and the same. However, it’s especially troubling when the perpetrators of such illegal activities are part of the medical profession. Doctors are people that most members of the general public trust with their lives. And when their actions of greed and deceitfulness show purposeful disregard for our health and safety, it’s truly unsettling.
Enter a Pennsylvania-based doctor and his employee who have given all-new meaning to the words “Pittsburgh Stealers”. Bad pun on the city’s pro football team (the Steelers) or not, Dr. Brent E. Clark and Carl T. Wilson of Pittsburgh are among the latest to be indicted on health care fraud charges. As reported by the United States Department of Justice’s Western District of Pennsylvania branch last week, the two are facing a 15-count indictment.
According to the report, Clark has been indicted for illegally distributing Oxycodone and Amphetamine – both are Schedule II controlled substances. The 55 year-old has also been charged with health care fraud. Together with Wilson, Clark distributed the drugs outside the usual course of professional practice beginning in February of 2015 and continued to do so right up until the end of last month.
As mentioned, illegal drug distribution was not the extent of Clark and Wilson’s crimes. The Department of Justice report reveals that in addition to distributing the drugs, the doctor attempted to defraud more than one health insurance program.
“The indictment further alleges that from February 2015 to February 2017, Clark knowingly and willfully executed, and attempted to execute, the above-described scheme to defraud and to obtain, by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, money and property owned by and under the custody and control of United Health Care and Medicare, health care benefit programs, in connection with the payment for health care benefits, items and services,” says the report.
While no convictions or sentences have been handed down as of yet, (the report makes clear that an indictment is an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty), Clark faces a maximum total sentence on all counts of up to 270 months in prison and a fine of $13,250,000. Wilson faces a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
According to the report, “under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.”
The team of clinical experts, here at Allegiant Experts, works tirelessly to see such dangerous fraudsters face justice. We remain committed to helping attorneys who require our assistance in their health care fraud cases. Providing expert clinical services for over 15 years, we consider our team to be the most proficient, knowledgeable and dependable in our industry.
Are you trying a case against perpetrators of health care fraud? Find out how our expertise can be of assistance to you today! Please don’t hesitate to call us at 407-217-5831 or email us at info@allegiantexperts.com.