A 75-year-old Glastonbury psychologist has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for bilking Medicaid out of $1.6 million, according to a federal indictment.
MICHAEL B. PINES, of Avon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford for defrauding Medicaid of more than $1.6 million.
Between January 2017 and October 2023, Pines submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were purportedly provided to his Medicaid clients.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Pines knew that by submitting these claims, he was committing health care fraud. The investigation revealed that Pines used his business bank account for numerous personal expenditures.
Pines pleaded guilty on January 31, 2024, to health care fraud. He is required to report to prison on June 24 and has been released on a $250,000 bond.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
Through this scheme, Pines defrauded Medicaid of $1,617,679. Judge Nagala ordered Pines to make full restitution. Pines also forfeited 16 pieces of jewelry, which he paid for using his business bank account, with an appraised replacement value of $67,685.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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