19 March 2020
Veterans Affairs (VA) employee Joseph Prince was found guilty of felony health care fraud, conspiracy, payment of illegal kickbacks and gratuities, money laundering charges and conflict of interest. He scammed the federal agency out of $19 million, illegally netting about $1.5 million for himself. He has been ordered to home incarceration pending his sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore.
Prince was a Beneficiary Provider Relationships Specialist with the VA’s Spina Bifida (SB) Health Care Benefits Program, which covers medical needs of children of veterans of the Korea and Vietnam wars suffering from birth defects (SB). Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly.
Veterans Affairs (VA) employee Joseph Prince was found guilty of felony health care fraud, conspiracy, payment of illegal kickbacks and gratuities, money laundering charges and conflict of interest. He scammed the federal agency out of $19 million, illegally netting about $1.5 million for himself. He has been ordered to home incarceration pending his sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore.
Prince was a Beneficiary Provider Relationships Specialist with the VA’s Spina Bifida (SB) Health Care Benefits Program, which covers medical needs of children of veterans of the Korea and Vietnam wars suffering from birth defects (SB). Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly.
Prince worked for a VA call centre in Denver, and spoke with health care providers and SB beneficiaries or their families regarding their health care needs and care reimbursement.
Prince signed up the family members of the program’s beneficiaries as home health “contractors” with sham home health entities run by Prince’s associates. Prince then took payment from the home health entities for his referrals, otherwise known as “kickbacks.”
Prince signed up the family members of the program’s beneficiaries as home health “contractors” with sham home health entities run by Prince’s associates. Prince then took payment from the home health entities for his referrals, otherwise known as “kickbacks.”
His referrals led to nearly $20 million in VA payments to the agencies, which were run by associates that included his wife, brother-in-law, half-sister and friends.
Roland Vaughn, a long-time friend and co-conspirator with Prince pleaded guilty in August. Glenn and Catherine Beach, also friends of Prince, also pleaded guilty to paying a kickback. All three are scheduled for sentencing in April.
Justice.gov reported.
Prince is scheduled for sentencing on June 11.
Justice.gov reported.
Prince is scheduled for sentencing on June 11.
