6 Ohioans indicted for $48 million health care fraud conspiracy

WOIO | Rachel Vadaj

Six people from Ohio were indicted in federal court for their roles in a health care fraud conspiracy at two drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the state.

According to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, “Medicaid was billed $48 million for drug and alcohol recovery services that were not provided, not medically necessary, lacked proper documentation, or had other issues that made them ineligible for reimbursement.”

The U.S. District Court in Cleveland revealed the following people were involved in the 60-count indictment:

  • 44-year-old Thomas Bailey of Poland
  • 29-year-old Kortney L. Gherardi of Girard
  • 50-year-old Lisa M. Pertee of Sunbury
  • 40-year-old Jennifer M. Sheridan of Austintown
  • 38-year-old Ryan P. Sheridan of Leetonia
  • 54-year-old Arthur H. Smith of Austintown

All six are charged with conspiracy to commit heath care fraud in connection with working at Braking Point Recovery Center, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment describes Braking Point as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility operation in Austintown and Whitehall that provided detox, intensive outpatient treatment, day treatment, and residential living rehabilitation…

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said:

“These scams are a sucker punch in the face to every family with loved ones struggling with addiction. We will work with our partners to achieve justice — and get our money back.”

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