ST. LOUIS – A jury in U.S. District Court has convicted a Jefferson County, Missouri chiropractor and her employees of orchestrating a massive disability fraud scheme, bilking the Social Security Administration out of millions.
Vivian Carbone-Hobbs, 60, co-owner of Power-Med Inc., Christina Barrera, 63, and Clarissa Pogue, 39, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Carbone-Hobbs was also convicted on ten counts of health care fraud and two counts of theft of money from the United States.
The trio allegedly conspired with others to secure disability payments by coaching patients on how to falsify their claims to appear unable to work, Berry said. Patients were told to go on disability ‘so you can enjoy yourself,’ Berry recounted.
Carbone-Hobbs’ husband, Thomas G. Hobbs, 65, pleaded guilty in January, admitting to conspiring to defraud patients of more than $3.5 million in disability benefits. He charged between $2,000 and $8,600 for preparing disability forms and coached patients on how to lie about their abilities.
Thomas G. Hobbs also admitted using a fictitious medical license number, submitting false medical reports, and administering prescription medications without a medical license. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 19th, while his wife and employees face sentencing on May 4th.
The investigation was led by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Anyone who suspects fraud involving the SSA should report it immediately.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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