Businesswoman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Covid Relief Funds In First Case Of Its Kind
Topline
Former healthcare firm proprietor Amina Abbas, 36, pled responsible Tuesday within the Japanese District of Michigan to theft of public cash in connection to a scheme that siphoned off about $37,657 in Covid-19 reduction cash—the primary case together with prison expenses for intentional misuse of healthcare supplier pandemic reduction funds within the U.S., the Division of Justice announced.
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Key Info
Abbas, a resident of Taylor, Michigan, and former proprietor of 1 on 1 Residence Well being in LaPorte, Indiana, obtained about $37,657 from the Coronavirus Support, Reduction, and Financial Safety Act Supplier Reduction Fund, based on a DOJ launch.
Abbas admitted to stealing the cash, which was earmarked for Covid-19 affected person care, by issuing checks to her relations for private use, the DOJ mentioned.
1 on 1 Residence Well being closed in early 2020 after Medicare officers demanded reimbursement for $1.62 million, and was not operational in the course of the pandemic, the Detroit Information reported.
The federal government alleged 1 on 1 Residence Well being submitted claims for sufferers who did not qualify for dwelling well being providers, the Detroit Information reported.
Key Background
The $175 billion CARES Act Supplier Reduction Fund is designated to assist healthcare suppliers financially impacted by the pandemic, to offer care to sufferers affected by Covid and to compensate suppliers for the price of that care. Abbas could be the first particular person charged with deliberately misusing cash from the fund, however she’s not the final —and even the final Michigander. Friday, federal prosecutors unsealed expenses in opposition to Mitchacole Johnson, 44, of Shelby Township, Michigan, and Larry Witherspoon, 45, of Harper Woods, Michigan, in connection to a nationwide ring accused of stealing greater than $450,000 in pandemic assist, the Detroit Information reported. Tons of of different individuals have been charged in connection to alleged pandemic reduction fraud schemes, together with former Scripps Well being worker Matthew Lombardo, who in July was accused of stealing the identities of dying Covid sufferers to take their advantages.
What To Watch For
Abbas is scheduled to be sentenced Could 19, and faces a most penalty of 10 years in jail.
Additional Studying
“Michigan woman first charged with stealing COVID-19 medical aid” (Detroit Information)
“A Hospital Worker Stole The Identities Of Dying Sufferers To Steal Covid Advantages, Feds Declare” (Forbes)
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