A woman who fled the U. S returned to face healthcare fraud charges that could see her imprisoned for 500 years in jail
A woman who allegedly ran from the country after being indicted for over 30 counts of various charges relating to healthcare fraud was arrested in July 2019. The woman identified as Linda Marrow was accused of severe allegations of fraudulently claiming more than 50 million dollars from healthcare insurance companies for cosmetic procedures disguised as necessary medical services. Besides, Marrow was charged with causing severe medical complications to patients who got several treatments from her facility. The defendant ran during the time she was released on bond and would also face court contempt charges. She was in the hideout for two years together with her husband, who was also accused in 2016 of several counts of healthcare fraud and pleaded guilty. He also ran under similar circumstances, but he was awaiting sentencing. However, he was sentenced while missing to twenty years in prison.
The couple was living in Israel, but the authorities returned them to the United States to face the charges back home. The extradition hearing will still be held in Israel, considering they committed other offenses, including entering the country fraudulently using Mexican passports. According to the allegations contained in the indictment, the couple operated The Marrow Institute (TMI), which they used to present fraudulent claims to insurance firms for reimbursement. The scheme was using cosmetic procedures to claim for refunds purporting the operations were medically necessary. Further, the investigation report claimed Linda made false claims that the procedures were covered under medical insurance, thereby convincing clients to take them. But the majority of the clients who received the surgeries severally developed complications.
In total, the medical facility fraudulently claimed more than 50 million dollars for the bogus services. However, some insurers did not honor the reimbursement demands for patients who were employed by public entities, including schools. Incidentally, this action prompted the accused to make more formal claims from the employers directly. As per the indictment claims, some of the services the facility offered claiming were essential medical services included reducing tummy, breast enlargement, skin turning, and other body part enhancement procedures. The investigators argued the defendant was responsible for the losses incurred by several insurance companies from unprofessional engagement with her and her facility.
To run away while on free on a bond is a severe offense under the laws of the country. Equally, duping clients to undertake medical surgeries that are not recommended for medical purposes has serious legal consequences. More so, the allegations that some clients suffer from medical complications from such procedures present a weight matter that can lead to severe punishment. Using your facility for fraudulent schemes is forbidding, and professionals are advised to offer the services that are not only recommended but also safe. With all the allegations against the accused, she faces more than 500 years in jail for more than 30 counts of various charges, according to the indictment announced.
While some unscrupulous individuals exploit the patients as it alleged in the case of Marrow, other times, people are accused of allegations wrongly. Therefore, some legal issues may arise at the workplace that requires you to cushion yourself for any consequence of being found guilty. Also, it is critical to understand anyone can be accused of healthcare fraud or other malpractices leading to loss of licenses. Being convicted for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, mail, or wire fraud, money laundering, or contempt of court can cost the accused years in jail and millions of dollars lost in fines, restitution, and forfeiture costs. As such, if you have been accused wrongfully of any malpractice, you need a competent team of defense lawyers to maintain your innocence in court. You could have your punishment reduced or the matter thrown out altogether if you have the right defense team to represent you in court. Avoid these punitive measures by working with our criminal defense attorneys at Healthcare Fraud Group.