BOISE – Fruitland Woman Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud in Idaho
Cherie R. Dillon, a 61-year-old dental hygienist from Fruitland, Idaho, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of health care fraud and 24 corresponding counts of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently billing dental services to health care benefit programs.
The guilty plea came at the close of the government’s case after four days of trial in front of Chief U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill. Dillon was indicted on February 9, 2016 by a federal grand jury in Boise.
Evidence at trial demonstrated that between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, Dillon executed a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs, including Medicaid. Even though Dillon was only a dental hygienist, she performed and billed for dental treatments that may only be performed by a dentist. These treatments included fillings, extractions, and dentures.
“Our federal and state health benefits programs rely on providers to be honest about the services they provide, and to only bill for covered services,” said U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. “Those who seek to deceive not only about the services provided but also about who provided them undermine that system and undermine public faith in federal programs.
This office and its law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who perpetrate this kind of fraud.”
Dillon faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the health care fraud charges. In addition, she faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 2 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the aggravated identity theft charges.
Sentencing is set for May 9, 2017 before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
Related Federal Cases
- Cherie R. Dillon, Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Idaho 2017 · Idaho
- Aria O Sabit, Health Care Fraud, Michigan 2024 · Washington
- Elizabeth Carter, Access Device Fraud, Idaho 2014 · Idaho
- Kevin John Weinreis, Passport Fraud and Identity Theft, Idaho 2016 · Idaho
- Jalin Russell-Halfacre, Obtaining Controlled Substances by Fraud, Idaho 2016 · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
