Maypearl Podiatrist Indicted for Health Care and Income Tax Fraud

SHERMAN, TX—A 45-year-old Maypearl, Texas podiatrist has been indicted and arrested for health care and income tax fraud in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Shannon Gallentine was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 9, 2011, and charged with 24 counts of health care fraud and two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns. Gallentine was arrested on Mar. 15, 2011 and made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant that afternoon.

According to the indictment, from January 2004 through May 2007, Gallentine, a podiatrist, owned and operated Ambulatory Foot Care in Lancaster, Texas. During this time, Gallentine is alleged to have submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare seeking reimbursement for procedures which he did not perform. As a result of these false claims, Gallentine is alleged to have received in excess of $365,000.00 to which he was not entitled. Additionally, it is alleged that Gallentine willfully failed to file federal income tax returns for calendar years 2004 and 2005.

If convicted, Gallentine faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count.

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), IRS, DEA, Texas Office of the Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU), and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Blackmon.

An indictment is not evidence of guilt and all defendants are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.