Brenda Hicks, 58, of Macon, Georgia, has admitted in federal court to conspiring to obstruct justice in a civil investigation into alleged improper healthcare billing by her business, Middle Georgia Family Rehab.
Hicks, owner of the rehab facility with locations in Byron and Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice before Chief U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on June 5.
According to court documents, Hicks set up a meeting with two employees after receiving a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from federal authorities on October 7, 2019. She instructed them to alter patient records, including creating or signing fake records, to make it seem like the facility had the requested documents.
The employees were told to ‘make up’ missing progress notes by copying and pasting narrative language from other notes. They were also instructed to add notes and signatures to patient records as needed. These doctored records were then produced to the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office on December 2, 2019.
Hicks now admits that she conspired to corruptly alter patient records with the intent to impair the integrity of those records and their availability for use in a civil action.
Under the plea agreement, Hicks faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. She will also pay restitution to TRICARE, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Sentencing is scheduled for September 5.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary stated, ‘Anyone who attempts to alter or destroy documents requested as part of a federal investigation will face federal penalties for breaking the law.’
The case was investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; and the Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Public Corruption|Healthcare Fraud
- Source: Official Source ↗
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