A Houston area health care professional was arraigned in a federal indictment on April 27, 2024. Charles Willis, 57, of Flower Mound, Texas, is charged in a six-count indictment related to a kickback scheme involving local pharmacies and a pain clinic, according to U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The indictment alleges that Willis worked as a doctor at Option 1 Pain & Rehab Clinic (formerly Direct Medical Clinic) in Houston, where he prescribed medically unnecessary drugs at the request of the clinic’s owner, Henry Gonzales. Gonzales allegedly paid Willis in kickbacks for the prescriptions.
The charges also state that Willis conspired with Gonzales and others to launder money, which is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.
Willis made his arraignment appearance at 10 a.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan. He is expected to return to court for further proceedings.
The investigation into the kickback scheme was conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General (OIG), DOL – OIG, and U.S. Postal Service – OIG, with assistance from the FBI and Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grace Murphy and Tina Ansari are prosecuting the case.
The indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Willis, along with four others, was charged in the six-count indictment returned on April 27, 2024. Tronown Thomas, 44, of Spring, Willie McDonald, 69, of Humble, Ronald Kwan, 60, of Missouri City, and Valdi Tatan, 37, of Richmond, have all already made their appearances in Houston federal court.
The charges against Willis and the others include conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, and conspiracy to launder money. If convicted, they face up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy and up to 10 years for the related healthcare fraud charges.
Henry Gonzales, 48, is charged in a related criminal information and is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon. Gonzales owned Option 1 Pain & Rehab Clinic (formerly Direct Medical Clinic) in Houston as well as Farmacia, a pharmacy located in Houston, according to the charges.
Gonzales allegedly paid kickbacks to McDonald to recruit and refer federal employee patients to Direct Medical/Option 1.
Related Federal Cases
- John L. Kirwin, Kickback Scheme, MO 2023 · Texas
- Albert Davis Indicted for Making False Declarations, Texas, 2015 · Texas
- Kalena Latoya Winston, Tax Return Fraud Scheme, Killeen TX, 2016 · Kansas
- Cristopher Cristea, Mining Fraud Scheme, St. Louis MO, 2023 · Kansas
- Sherrie Householder, Counterfeit Cell Phone Parts Scheme, MO 2024 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Healthcare Fraud|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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