A Center, Texas couple, Cathy Harvill, 57, and William Harvill, 60, also known as Bill Harvill, has pleaded guilty to federal violations in a health care fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas.
According to the Department of Justice, the couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on Feb. 18, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin. The Harvills owned and operated North East Texas EMS, and from January 2007 through March 2012, they carried out a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid by submitting false and fraudulent claims for nonemergency, scheduled, repetitive ambulance services which did not meet Medicare program coverage criteria.
The investigation, which was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Texas Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU), and the U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA), revealed that the Harvills’ actions were a deliberate attempt to deceive the health care system for personal gain.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld and Tom Gibson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth C. McGurk. The defendants each face up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
The guilty plea is a significant victory for the federal government in its efforts to combat health care fraud. The Medicare and Medicaid programs are designed to provide essential medical services to those in need, and individuals who seek to exploit these programs for personal gain will be held accountable.
The Harvills’ scheme was a complex and sophisticated operation that involved the submission of false claims for services that were not medically necessary. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of federal and state authorities to protecting the integrity of the health care system and ensuring that those who engage in fraudulent activities are brought to justice.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the guilty plea and praised the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors who worked on the case. The conviction of the Harvills serves as a warning to others who would seek to engage in similar fraudulent activities, and it underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in the health care system.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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