A former Parkland Hospital employee in Dallas has been caught red-handed, pleading guilty to identity theft after stealing patient information to market his home health agency in Garland, Texas.
Viju Mathew, 49, of Garland, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, authentication features and information (identity theft) in federal court on Monday.
Mathew, a registration specialist at Parkland Hospital, entered patient information into Parkland’s computer system. He used his position to obtain confidential patient information, including patients’ names, telephone numbers, dates of birth, participation in the Medicare program, and government-issued health insurance claim numbers.
According to plea documents filed in the case, Mathew admitted that he knowingly removed the confidential information intending to use it to gain an economic benefit by contacting prospective patients for his home health care business.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Portugal is in charge of the prosecution.
Mathew faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. He will remain on bond pending sentencing before U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle.
U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña announced Mathew’s guilty plea, stating that the case highlights the importance of protecting patient information.
The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of identity theft and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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