Federal Grand Jury Charges Brownwood, Texas Dentist in Health Care Fraud Case

LUBBOCK, TX—James Crow, 65, of Brownwood, Texas, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Lubbock on numerous felony offenses involving health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Crow, who practices general dentistry in Brownwood, is charged with six counts of false statements involving a health care matter and 18 counts of health care fraud. It is expected that Crow will make his initial appearance in federal court in Lubbock later this month.

The indictment alleges that from January 2004 through December 2007, Crow, a dentist enrolled with Medicaid, filed, and caused to be filed, Medicaid claims for payment of services that he did not render and for payment of services that were billed with improper billing codes. The indictment alleges Crow billed Medicaid for numerous resin-based composites restorations (cavity fillings), when in fact, either no such fillings were performed, or he instead performed other dental services reimbursed at lower rates.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each false statement count carries a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the health care fraud counts carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, the indictment includes a forfeiture allegation which will require Crow, if convicted, to forfeit a money judgment of the gross proceeds, obtained directly or indirectly, as a result of the offense, of at least $1 million.

The case is being investigated by the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Burch and Denise Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lubbock are in charge of the prosecution.