Former Simon-Williamson Clinic Employee Agrees to Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Tax Fraud Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 09, 2009 |
BIRMINGHAM—A Shelby County woman has agreed to plead guilty to federal crimes involving health care fraud, wire fraud, and tax fraud involving nearly $1.2 million embezzled from a health care provider, United States Attorney Joyce White Vance announced today.
KIMBERLY PERRIN, 40, worked as comptroller for the Simon-Williamson Clinic in Birmingham. According to the plea agreement filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Perrin embezzled $1,197,074 from the clinic between about July 2005 and February 2009.
Perrin carried out her scheme by causing the clinic to issue and mail checks both to her, personally, and to third parties to pay for her personal expenses. In order to conceal her conduct, Perrin did not make appropriate entries on the clinic’s books and records. Perrin did not report receiving this income on her tax returns for the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 tax years.
As part of her plea agreement, Perrin has agreed to pay $1,197,074 in restitution to the Simon-Williamson Clinic. In addition, she faces fines and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the mail fraud charges, 10 years in prison on the health care fraud charges, and five years in prison on the tax fraud charges.
The investigation of this matter was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Lloyd Peeples is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the U.S. government.
“Health care fraud is causing the costs for health care to continually rise. Although these types of investigations are often long and complicated, the FBI will not be deterred from pursuing those who would line their pockets with taxpayer money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley.
“U.S. Postal Inspectors are responsible for protecting the sanctity of the nation's mail system,” said Martin D. Phanco, postal inspector in charge, Atlanta Division. “When allegations are made that the U.S. mail has been used to violate this trust, it’s our job as postal inspectors to restore America’s confidence in the integrity of its postal system and help bring the violators to justice.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Reginal D. McDaniel said the prosecution of “individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system. If you suspect someone of committing tax fraud, do the right thing and contact your local IRS office.”