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The U.S. Department of Justice announced earlier this month that an Indian Rocks Beach, Florida-based woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and filing a false tax return.
Kelly Wolfe and her company, Regency, Inc., have also agreed to pay up to $20.3 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act.
Among the allegations are that Wolfe and her conspirators submitted well over $400 million in illegal durable medical equipment claims to Medicare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans, relying on the guise of telemedicine to explain the unusually high volume of claims.
Friday, February 5, 2021
On February 4, 2021, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a settlement of allegations of Medicare Fraud brought by a qui tam relator under the False Claims Act (“FCA”) related to “Operation Brace Yourself.”
This case is a shining example of how laws that incentivize whistleblowers can help uncover large frauds. The False Claims Act is an essential tool for the detection and successful prosecution of fraud and corruption.
The whistleblower lawsuit alleged that Kelly Wolfe, a Florida businesswoman, and her company Regency Inc. (“Regency”), submitted false claims to the United States for braces and other durable medical equipment (“DME”). The qui tam lawsuit was filed in March 2019 by Condra Albright, a former employee of Regency.
Tampa, FL Kelly Wolfe (Indian Rocks Beach) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and filing a false tax return. She faces a maximum penalty of 13 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
In addition to her criminal charges, Wolfe and her company, Regency, Inc. ( Regency ) have agreed to pay up to $20,332,516, to resolve allegations that Wolfe and Regency violated the False Claims Act in a number of ways, including falsifying documentation in order to fraudulently establish durable medical equipment ( DME ) corporations to bill for medically unnecessary DME equipment, and engaging in improper marketing practices that violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. The civil settlement amount is based on Wolfe and Regency s ability to pay.