Cathy Harvill and William Harvill, Health Care Fraud Scheme, Texas 2014

BEAUMONT, Texas - A shocking case of health care fraud has come to light, with a local couple facing up to 10 years in federal prison for their crimes.

Cathy Harvill, 57, and William Harvill, 60, also known as Bill Harvill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on February 18, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin.

According to information presented in court, the Harvills owned and operated North East Texas EMS. From January 2007 through March 2012, the defendants carried out a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid by submitting false and fraudulent claims for nonemergency, scheduled, repetitive ambulance services which did not meet Medicare program coverage criteria.

The defendants each face up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. Sentencing dates have not been set.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Texas Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU), and the U.S. Department of Labor – employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA).

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld and Tom Gibson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth C. McGurk.

The Harvills are currently awaiting sentencing, with their fate hanging in the balance. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of health care fraud and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

As the investigation and prosecution of the Harvills continue, the community is left to wonder how such a scheme could have gone undetected for so long. The case highlights the need for increased vigilance and oversight in the health care industry to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.

It is a disturbing reminder that health care fraud is a serious crime with severe consequences, and those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable.

The Harvills' case is a stark reminder that health care fraud will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such behavior will face the full force of the law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/former-shelby-county-residents-guilty-health-care-fraud-scheme