Georgia

Published on: May 19, 2020

Georgia Revenue Department Returns $2.1 Million in Disputed Civil Asset Forfeiture Funds to State Treasury

The Georgia Department of Revenue has reportedly ended its practice of using funds seized in criminal investigations through civil asset forfeiture and returned $2.1 million to the Office of the State Treasurer.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the department made the change after the publication reported that the Revenue Department’s Office of Special Investigations had spent millions of dollars seized in criminal investigations on frivolous purchases, including expensive gym equipment, engraved firearms, clothing, and personal items. By its own accounting, the office spent $2.9 million of this money over the past four years.

Published on: May 18, 2020

Reality TV Personality from Atlanta, GA, Charged with Bank Fraud

by Brian Silber

Authorities in Atlanta announced the arrest of Maurice Fayne, who stars in Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, for allegedly misusing funds he obtained from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan he received for his business.

Fayne, 37, was charged with bank fraud. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

Published on: May 15, 2020

Florida Man Who Operates Durable Medical Equipment Company Charged in Health Care Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

Authorities in Georgia have announced charges against a Florida man who operated a durable medical equipment company in the state for his alleged involvement in a Medicare kickback and telemedicine fraud scheme.

According to court documents, Patrick Wolfe, 48, of Belleair Beach, FL, was the owner of Wilmington Island Medical Inc., which does business as WI Medical Inc. in Georgia. He is accused of conspiring to pay kickbacks for “leads,” which were in actuality signed orders from doctors and nurses, and then billing those orders to Medicare Part B and Medicare Part C through his medical equipment company.

Published on: February 14, 2020

Telemedicine Companies Charged in $56 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

Federal prosecutors arrested the owners of two Georgia-based telemedicine companies on Feb. 4th on charges of conspiracy ranging from fraud to money laundering. Reinaldo Wilson, 51, and his wife, Jean Wilson, 49, allegedly led a scheme to receive kickbacks and bribes for ordering orthodontic braces through Medicare for people who didn’t need them. The indictment indicates the plan operated between March 2017 and April 2019.

Published on: December 31, 2019

Steel Packaging Supplier in Georgia Fined Nearly $200K by OSHA for Worker Safety Hazards

by Brian Silber

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a steel packaging supplier for allegedly exposing its workers to amputation, chemical and other safety hazards at a job site in Lavonia, Georgia.