Lufkin Physician Arrested for Health Care Fraud Violations
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 10, 2010 |
BEAUMONT, TX—A Lufkin physician and his employee have been arrested on charges of health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Dr. Alexander Orlov, D.O., 45, and Haseeb Rehman, 57, both of Lufkin, were arrested on June 9, 2010, for health care fraud violations. Orlov and Rehman appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin for initial appearances.
According to the indictment, from Nov. 2008 to Apr. 2010, Orlov, a physician and the owner of a Lufkin medical practice and urgent care clinic, and Rehman, an employee, are alleged to have submitted claims for physicians' services to Medicare and Medicaid for services provided by Rehman who was not a licensed medical professional. Orlov controlled and operated Lufkin Urgent Care, P.A. He employed Rehman to run Lufkin Urgent Care. Rehman treated patients, prescribed medication, performed minor surgical procedures, and operated within Lufkin Urgent Care as if he were a licensed medical professional. Rehman also filled out prescriptions and forged Orlov's signature on prescriptions. Claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for Rehman's services representing that the services were provided by a physician. As a result of these claims, the defendants and their co-conspirators unlawfully obtained more than $725,000 from Medicare and Medicaid.
On June 3, 2010, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment charging Orlov with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Rehman was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
If convicted, both defendants face up to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Orlov also faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud and up to two years in federal prison for each count of aggravated identity theft.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by agents from the Texas Office of the Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU), the FBI, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.