Baton Rouge Couple Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud

BATON ROUGE—United States Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr. announced that Helen Faye Stewart, age 43, and Henry Ray Stewart, age 47, both of Plaquemine, Louisiana, were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady as a result of a health care fraud scheme perpetrated in the Baton Rouge area. Helen Stewart was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and Henry Stewart was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

Both defendants were also ordered by Judge Brady to pay $1,006,003.83 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Following their release from imprisonment, both defendants will be required to serve a two-year term of supervised release.

United States Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr. stated, “We will continue to prosecute vigorously those who commit Medicare fraud to help protect the integrity of this very important program for disabled Americans and seniors.”

The investigation of this matter was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. “These sentencings tell taxpayers the Baton Rouge Medicare Strike Force successfully continues to bring those who defraud health care programs to justice,” said William W. Root, Assistant Special Agent in Charge U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The Office of Inspector General appreciates the commitment from the Department of Justice and United States Attorney Donald Cazayoux,” said Root. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri.

The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.