In what's potentially the biggest Medicaid fraud ever in Nebraska, Lincoln pharmacist pleads guilty

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joe Duggan

LINCOLN — In what could be the biggest Medicaid ripoff ever in Nebraska, a Lincoln pharmacist faces up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $14 million from the program.

“It’s the biggest one I’m aware of in Nebraska,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Everett said after the hearing in U.S. District Court in Lincoln.

Pharmacist Scott Tran agreed under the terms of a plea deal to forfeit a home, boat and other personal property to help pay back some of the money he stole over the course of six years. But most of the funds he defrauded from the government health care program were gambled away in Iowa casinos, said his attorney, Clarence Mock of Omaha.

Tran, 44, tearfully took responsibility for the six-year fraud scheme as he pleaded guilty to one felony count. In exchange for his plea, the federal government dismissed 16 felony counts against him.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/in-what-s-potentially-the-biggest-medicaid-fraud-ever-in/article_e424178f-a04b-5e24-a4c2-87c528157866.html

[d_legendary1]

1. Compared to Rick Scott

this guy is a complete amateur. First thing he needs to do is incorporate himself. Then he can steal billions and let the company take the fall.

[forest444]

3. And Jeb Bush's buddy. Miguel Recarey.

A cool billion dollars (at 1986 prices) before the scam was busted. Also from Florida, as it happens.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026070816

[d_legendary1]

4. When it comes to Medicare scams

Florida politicians are the pros!

[Thor_MN]

2. More than $2 million a year in fraud and it took 6 years to figure it out?

One doesn't piss away multiple millions of dollars in Iowa casinos without anyone noticing. There's likely substantial amounts still squirrelled away somewhere.

[NBachers]

5. A good candidate for the Jeb Bush Administration's Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

[Sunlei]

6. gambled away in Iowa casinos. The IRS doesn't notice one person spends 9 million at casinos?

yet they will go after a person who makes 10k bank deposits.

[jwirr]

7. When I was a temp working in Social Services there was

a list of Medicaid fraud in our area that we used to make sure we did not refer a client to any of them.

The Rs preach that the poor are the ones who commit fraud on the programs created for their use. WRONG. Everyone on our list was a provider. When it comes to welfare fraud the poor are not the ones who submit the bills. In fact they have little to do with the bill that is submitted at all. The provider submits and details the billing.

When my mother's Medicare bill from her bout with cancer came it was pages long (20+) - even an Asperin was listed. They sent them to me. She was deceased. I was supposed to look at them and tell them what she had received. That is supposed to be the safeguard against fraud. There was no way I would know exactly what they did 24/7.

[Stuart G]

8. k and r...thanks for posting..nt

[TheDebbieDee]

9. This Doctor in Detroit makes Dr. Tran look like a gifted amateur.....

The article references $17 million over 6 years....but for some reason $255 million is stuck in my head!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/10/cancer-doctor-sentenced-years-horrific-fraud/29996107/

A well-run Medi-care fraud run out of a doctors' office can rip off several millions of $ in a matter of months. Even when these doctors are caught and tried, investigators find less than half of the money...

But, America seems to be much worried about the SNAPS beneficiaries who MIGHT be earning $50 more than they are allowed under the table......