Deborah Branch, Healthcare Fraud, Virginia 2023

Bristol Woman Charged with Healthcare Fraud

ABINGDON, VIRGINIA – Deborah Branch, 64, of Bristol, Virginia, has been charged with committing healthcare fraud, conspiring to commit healthcare fraud, and wire fraud, announced United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. and Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring today.

The indictment alleges that from January 2010 until September 2015, Branch, with the knowledge of Melissa Harr and Bryan Harr Sr., submitted time sheets claiming she was providing services for Harr’s disabled son when she was not. In exchange for assisting Branch in getting paid for work she did not do, Branch paid the Harrs approximately $200 every two weeks. Virginia Medicaid’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) paid out $350,641.02 to the contractors based on these time sheets, of which $207,854.43 was paid to Branch.

The Harr’s disabled son did not receive the services he legitimately needed pursuant to the ID waiver program. The investigation of the case was conducted by the Medicaid fraud Control Unit of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, 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 prosecuting the case for the United States.

According to the indictment, Melissa and Bryan Harr Sr., hired Branch to work with one of their children, who suffers from intellectual and physical disabilities and who qualifies for services paid for by Virginia Medicaid, including personal assistance, respite and residential support services. These services are available to qualified individuals pursuant to Virginia Medicaid’s Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver program. Recipients or their guardians are permitted to hire workers of their own choosing to provide these services which are paid for by Virginia Medicaid. Branch was paid through two different Virginia Medicaid contractors: Public Partnerships, LLC and ResCare (formerly known as Creative Family Solutions).

The indictment charges Deborah Branch with one count of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. These charges carry significant penalties, including up to 20 years in prison, fines, and restitution.

Defendant Information:

Defendant: Deborah Branch
Criminal Charges: Health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and wire fraud
City and State: Bristol, Virginia
Indictment Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending
Dollar Amounts: $350,641.02 paid out by Virginia Medicaid, $207,854.43 paid to Branch

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