ABINGDON, VA – Bryan Harr Sr., 41, of Bristol, Virginia, has confessed to a calculated scheme to defraud Virginia Medicaid, admitting guilt to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The case, a joint effort between federal and state authorities, exposes a cynical betrayal of a program designed to protect vulnerable citizens.
According to court documents, Harr, along with his wife, Melissa Harr, and accomplice Deborah Branch, 64, exploited the Virginia Medicaid Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver program. This program provides essential at-home services – personal assistance, respite care, and residential support – to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, allowing them to avoid institutionalization. The Harrs were permitted to hire their own care provider for their son, a recipient of these crucial services.
Between January 2010 and September 2015, Branch, acting under the direction of the Harrs, submitted fraudulent time sheets to Public Partnerships, LLC and ResCare (formerly Creative Family Solutions), two Virginia Medicaid contractors. These documents falsely claimed Branch provided services to the Harrs’ disabled son when, in reality, she was not present. The scheme was simple: fabricated hours equaled unearned payments.
The payoff? Branch allegedly kicked back approximately $200 to the Harrs every two weeks for her participation. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) ultimately shelled out a staggering $350,641.02 to the contractors based on these bogus time sheets. Of that amount, $207,854.43 flowed directly to Branch. But the real cost wasn’t just financial. The Harrs’ son, the intended beneficiary of these funds, was deprived of the legitimate care he desperately needed.
“This was a blatant abuse of a system designed to help those most in need,” stated Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle. Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring added, “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who attempt to defraud Medicaid and steal resources from Virginians.” Nick DiGiulio, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s Philadelphia Regional Office, emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting the integrity of healthcare programs.
Melissa Harr has already pleaded guilty to the same charge. Branch remains charged as part of the conspiracy. The investigation was spearheaded by the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Bristol Virginia Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Janine M. Myatt, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General, is leading the prosecution.
RELATED: Robert Kuss Admits to Stealing $749,573 from USPS
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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