SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a grim revelation of Medicare abuse, 50-year-old Anita Vijay, the Social Services Director at a local skilled nursing facility, pleaded guilty today to a sinister conspiracy involving illegal kickbacks for Medicare beneficiary referrals.
According to court documents, Vijay used her influential position to channel Medicare beneficiaries to specific home health and hospice agencies in Folsom and El Dorado Hills. In return, she and her husband, Jai Vijay, received underhanded cash kickbacks.
The scheme siphoned approximately $400,000 from Medicare, a figure that is shockingly high considering the kickbacks were for referrals of about 60 beneficiaries. Unbeknownst to Medicare, these agencies should not have been reimbursed due to their illegal tactics.
Vijay’s plea agreement reveals that her actions were anything but altruistic; she admitted to soliciting kickbacks directly. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Thuesen is now handling the case with the unwavering determination of justice.
On December 3, 2020, Judge Troy L. Nunley will sentence Anita Vijay for her crimes. She faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy and ten years for kickback charges, not to mention a fine that could reach $250,000 or twice the gross loss or gain.
Adding to the severity of this case is the fact that Jai Vijay, Anita’s husband, pleaded guilty to a similar charge on February 6, 2020. This investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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