Dr. Paul J. Mathieu, 53, of Morristown, New Jersey, and Dr. Hatem Behiry, 51, of Brooklyn, New York, have been found guilty of participating in a $30 million scheme to defraud Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program. The duo, both medical professionals, were convicted after a six-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
According to evidence presented at the trial, Mathieu fraudulently posed as the owner of three Brooklyn clinics between 2007 and 2013, billing Medicare and Medicaid approximately $30 million for unnecessary services. He also signed false medical charts and referrals during his weekly visits to the clinics, never treating patients himself.
Behiry, on the other hand, engaged in a similar scheme by pretending to provide physical therapy to patients receiving cash kickbacks. His role included preparing false medical records for patients he never evaluated or treated. Both Mathieu and Behiry were also involved in writing unnecessary prescriptions for incontinence products.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman called the fraud a betrayal of their professional duties, stating that they chose to harm rather than heal the public. Mathieu and Behiry were each convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud; and conspiracy to make false statements relating to a health care program. They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on all counts.
The scheme highlights the ongoing threat of healthcare fraud and the need for continued vigilance within the medical community. The conviction sends a strong message that such fraudulent activities will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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