False Claims Act

The Department of Justice published a press release confirming another False Claims Act settlement. This one involved Lopez Scott who operated Turning Points Residential Care facility. The Court sentenced Scott to two years in prison for defrauding the Virginia Medicaid program. He submitted over $188,000 in false claims.

Raj Parekh is the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He said:

For three years, the defendant used his position as a nursing home operator to fraudulently obtain over $188,000 from the Virginia Medicaid program. Health care fraud takes funding and critical services away from those who truly need it. We will continue to hold accountable those who exploit these essential health care programs at the expense of vulnerable members of our communities.

According to court documents, Scott submitted numerous false and fraudulent claims to Virginia Medicaid. As a result, Scott received approximately $188,297.39 in health care payments to which he was not entitled. Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General said:

When Lopez Scott launched his fraud scheme, he threatened the integrity of the Medicaid program and illegally pocketed taxpayer funds meant to pay for the legitimate care of needy patients. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold such fraudsters accountable for their unprincipled actions.

According to court documents, Scott created fraudulent electronic entries in records which falsely indicated that the facility provided the necessary services.