The Justice Department said physicians, insurers, and brace suppliers conspired to place false orders for $424 million in false claims. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Godfather could learn a thing or two from the latest telemedicine scam artists about how to really organize a crime.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, a cabal of conspirators, led by executives at Video Doctor Network, defrauded Medicare of more than $200 million in false claims between 2016 and 2019. As outlined by statements to the DOJ by Video Doctor Network owner Lester Stockett, the conspirators laundered the millions through a web of shell companies and offshore bank accounts, and solicited kickbacks and bribes from related parties. They were finally indicted in April.
As part of a plea agreement, Stockett agreed to personally pay a fine of $200 million and faces sentencing in December. But Stockett was hardly alone in the scam, the DOJ said.
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
