Brenda Hicks, the owner of Middle Georgia Family Rehab, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
UPDATE (9/5/24): Brenda Hicks, the owner of Middle Georgia Family Rehab, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia, Hicks was also ordered to pay $191,645.20 in restitution to TRICARE, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
ORIGINAL STORY (06/05/24):
MACON, Ga. (41NBC/WMGT) – The owner of Middle Georgia Family Rehab pleaded guilty June 5 to conspiracy to obstruct justice by ordering employees to produce documents during a federal billing investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District to change in healthcare Georgia.
Brenda Hicks, 58, faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The plea agreement also requires Hicks to pay restitution to TRICARE, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Sentencing is scheduled for September 5th.
“Anyone who attempts to alter or destroy documents requested as part of a federal investigation will face federal penalties for violating the law,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “In the interests of justice and truth, it is imperative that the integrity of the investigation is maintained for the benefit of all parties.”
Court documents show that on October 7, 2019, Middle Georgia Family Rehab, LLC (MGFR) – with locations in Byron and Macon – received a civil investigative request (CID) requesting patient records. Hicks instructed employees to falsify records if necessary to comply with CID. One employee resigned after raising concerns about the legality of the actions, while another followed Hicks' orders and fabricated and signed documents. These falsified documents were then submitted to the U.S. Attorney's Office on December 2, 2019.
Further information about the civil lawsuit can be found at Click here.
The case was investigated by the Department of Defense's Defense Criminal Investigation Service (DOD-DCIS). the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU); and the Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG); with significant support from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Dietrick previously provided assistance.
