Employment & Assessment Solutions, Inc. and Chris Manus, False Claims Act, Tennessee 2014

Nashville-based Employment & Assessment Solutions, Inc. (EASI) and its principal, Chris Manus, have been caught bilking the system, submitting fake claims for transportation services to TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid Program. The alleged conduct took place between January 2, 2010, and April 30, 2014, resulting in a whopping $550,000 settlement.

The alleged scheme involved submitting false claims for transportation services that were never provided, including claims for patients who were actually incarcerated or hospitalized at the time of the purported transport. This is a clear case of false claims, where the company got paid for doing nothing. The United States and the State of Tennessee have worked tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice.

Under the terms of the settlement, the United States will receive $302,775 and the State of Tennessee will receive $247,225. This is a significant blow to EASI and its principal, who will be excluded from Medicaid, Medicare, and all Federal Health Care programs for a whopping nine years.

“Enforcement of the False Claims Act is a priority of the Middle District of Tennessee,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith. “The already overburdened Medicaid Program simply cannot withstand making payments for services that were never rendered. Anytime we discover violations of the False Claims Act, where corporations are seeking to enrich themselves through dishonest methods, we will seek the appropriate remedy for the offending corporation and its principals.”

The settlement resolves allegations by the United States and the State of Tennessee that EASI and Manus caused the submission of false claims to TennCare for transportation services that were never provided. This is a stark reminder that the public expects funds to go to those patients who need these services.

Employment & Assessment Solutions, Inc., a Nashville-based transportation services provider, and its principal, Chris Manus, have agreed to settle False Claims Act allegations for $550,000. The alleged conduct occurred between January 2, 2010, and April 30, 2014. The company will pay $302,775 to the United States and $247,225 to the State of Tennessee. Both EASI and Manus have agreed to a nine-year exclusion from Medicaid, Medicare, and all Federal Health Care programs.

This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah K. Bogni. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/transportation-services-provider-and-its-principal-agree-settle-false-claims-act