Feds Nab Local Businessman in Telemedicine Scam
Christopher O’Hara, 54, was arrested without incident in Kingsbury, Texas, by federal authorities in connection with a nationwide health care fraud takedown. According to U.S. Attorney John Bash, the indictment alleges that O’Hara, owner and operator of 1stCare MD and ProfitsCentric, conspired to pay and receive HealthCare Kickbacks.
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in San Antonio, charges O’Hara with one count of conspiracy to pay and receive HealthCare Kickbacks. The alleged scheme involved paying and receiving kickbacks and bribes in exchange for doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment (DME) for Medicare beneficiaries.
O’Hara’s actions resulted in the submission of approximately $40 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for DME. Investigators from the FBI, HHS-OIG, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit worked together to bring O’Hara to justice.
O’Hara faces up to five years in federal prison upon conviction. He was released on a $150,000 bond. The arrest and indictment are part of a nationwide law enforcement action targeting 24 defendants involved in extensive health care fraud schemes that focus on telemedicine and DME marketing.
These schemes allegedly resulted in losses amounting to more than $1.2 billion. An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
DOJ trial attorney Kevin Lowell and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean O’Connell and Eric Yuen are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas, 2012 · Texas
- Cathy Harvill and William Harvill, Conspiracy to Commit Health Care… · Texas
- Christopher Ferguson, PPE Scam, New York NY, 2023 · New Mexico
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Fraud and Tax Evasi… · Texas
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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