Jackie Elvine Sentenced to 5 Years for Health Care Fraud, Macon GA,…

MACON, GA – Jackie Elvine, 39, of Jeffersonville, Georgia, is trading tax forms for prison stripes. The former tax preparer was sentenced to 5 years (63 months) in federal prison on August 13, 2014, after pleading guilty to a complex scheme of health care fraud, false tax returns, and claims against the government. U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell delivered the sentence in Macon, and also ordered Elvine to pay restitution totaling a staggering $372,008.88.

The fraud began in 2008 when Elvine established Young’s Financial Billing Service. For three years, she churned out hundreds of bogus tax returns, padding them with fraudulent claims. At least 61 returns falsely claimed first-time home buyer tax credits, amounting to $283,683.00. She also illegally claimed higher education tax credits for clients who didn’t qualify, further lining her pockets at the expense of taxpayers.

But Elvine wasn’t stopping at tax evasion. She also targeted AFLAC, filing false healthcare claims that resulted in $147,483.56 in losses for the insurance company. She then brazenly diverted healthcare refunds from her employer, National Reimbursement Group, directly into her personal account, stealing another $118,446.84. The investigation began with a tip to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office and quickly expanded to involve multiple federal agencies.

U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore didn’t mince words. “For years, Ms. Elvine made up and filed phony figures to steal from the Government and these insurance companies. At least for the next five years, the only numbers she will be dealing with will be the ones in her federal inmate identification number,” Moore stated. “The message in the prison sentence today is simple. These schemes will not keep you out of the poorhouse; they’ll put you in the jailhouse.”

Federal investigators echoed Moore’s sentiment. Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation, warned that “tough punishment awaits those who embark on a similar criminal path.” Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, added, “Elvine, not content with cheating on hundreds of tax returns, started stealing critically needed healthcare dollars… we will vigorously pursue thieves who believe government programs exist to fatten their pockets.” Staci Guest, Director of the Georgia Department of Revenue – Office of Special Investigations, emphasized the state’s commitment to public trust.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and Georgia Department of Revenue – Office of Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Graham Thorpe prosecuted the case. Anyone with further questions is directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.

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