Simsbury Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EUGENE BOLOGNESE, 36, of Teachers Turn, Simsbury, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of health care fraud.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, BOLOGNESE owned and operated Hopmeadow Chiropractic of Simsbury, LLC, also doing business as Physician’s Pain Control and Wellness Center, a chiropractic practice located at 1 Grist Mill in Simsbury, Connecticut. At various times, BOLOGNESE employed two physicians in his chiropractic practice. Beginning in 2005, BOLOGNESE submitted fraudulent claims to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield using the physicians’ provider numbers. The claims were for services and procedures purportedly rendered by the physicians on days when they physicians were not present in BOLOGNESE’s practice and did not treat any patients.

As part of his guilty plea, BOLOGNESE admitted to receiving $573,036 as a result of this scheme, and he has agreed to pay restitution in this amount to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Judge Arterton has scheduled sentencing for April 13, 2009, at which time BOLOGNESE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This investigation was conducted by special agents from Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Health Care Fraud Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Sheldon and auditor Susan Spiegel.

Acting United States Attorney Dannehy commended Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance company for the critical assistance they provided to the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Dannehy encouraged individuals who suspect health care fraud to report it by calling the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 785-9270 or 1-800-HHS-TIPS.