In a significant blow to healthcare fraud, Tamara Yvonne Motley, the owner of two medical equipment companies, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The 55-year-old, also known as Tamara Ogembe, was found guilty for leading a scheme that billed Medicare for over $24 million in unnecessary medical equipment and repairs.
Fraudulent Scheme Unearthed
According to the United States Department of Justice, Motley was found guilty of 20 counts of healthcare fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the FBI; and the California Department of Justice.
The fraudulent scheme involved Motley paying marketers for patient referrals. These marketers were directed towards physicians who would then prescribe unnecessary durable medical equipment. The scheme later transitioned to fraudulently billing for power wheelchair repairs. Two other defendants were also implicated and convicted in this case.
Source: Healthcare Fraud: Medical Equipment Owner Sentenced in $24M Medicare Scam / Medriva