Judge orders Amarillo orthodontist to forfeit $1.5 million (Medicaid fraud)
An Amarillo orthodontist must forfeit $1.56 million he fraudulently gleaned from the Texas Medicaid program by billing for dental work he never performed.
In a preliminary order issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson said the government presented “credible evidence” that Michael David Goodwin, owner of Goodwin Orthodontics, 3629 Wolflin Ave., reaped $1.56 million in ill-gotten gains between 2008 and 2011.
Goodwin, 63, pleaded guilty in December to one count of health care fraud. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced later this year. Under the plea, Goodwin agreed not to challenge the forfeiture.
Prosecutors allege that Goodwin frequently billed for work he never performed and scheduled up to 100 patients daily. Employees and patients likened the scheme to “herding cattle,” court documents show.
More at http://amarillo.com/news/2013-02-12/judge-orders-amarillo-orthodontist-forfeit-15-million .