Erik M. Schabert, Health Care Fraud, Florida 2018

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Erik M. Schabert, 48, a physician, and his ex-wife, Mika Kamissa Harris, 49, both from Gainesville, Florida, have surrendered on a federal indictment charging them with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

The indictment also charges Harris with multiple counts of money laundering. The charges were announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that while owning and operating Reliant Family Practice in Gainesville, Harris and Schabert defrauded health care benefit programs of $4.4 million through the submission of fraudulent claims.

According to the indictment, between January 2013 and July 2016, Harris and Schabert caused claims to be submitted to Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield for chemical peels, dermabrasions, and acne surgery using false diagnoses of rosacea, acne, and actinic keratosis.

The indictment further alleges that Harris laundered approximately $3.1 million dollars in proceeds of the health care fraud scheme.

Schabert and Harris made their initial appearance on the charges at the U.S. District Courthouse in Gainesville. The trial is scheduled for April 24, 2018.

If convicted of charges in the filed indictment, Schabert and Harris face a maximum term of 20 years in prison for health care fraud conspiracy and 10 years in prison for each of the health care fraud counts.

Harris faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison for each of the money laundering counts.

This indictment is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany H. Eggers.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/gainesville-physician-and-ex-wife-indicted-health-care-fraud-conspiracy