Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

Trends in Healthcare Fraud Enforcement

Published on: July 9, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

The DOJ boasted their record-breaking 2025 healthcare fraud take down in a recent press release that we discussed more generally in another blog post. This post focuses on some of the specific actions taken by the government and highlights the trends across enforcement.

DME Fraud

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) fraud remains a cornerstone of federal enforcement as seen in the recent takedown. An indictment in the Western District of New York charges a medical doctor with billing roughly $29.6 million for fictious DME and $5.6 million for audio-only telehealth visits, which were brief or never occurred. That doctor produced and maintained false and fictitious medical records and fraudulently certified orders for braces without regard to medical necessity. The doctor now faces federal criminal charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and false statements relating to health care matters.

Largest U.S. Health Care Fraud Takedown: 324 Charged, $14.6 B Alleged Loss

Published on: July 1, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

On June 30, 2025, the Department of Justice announced its largest-ever National Health Care Fraud Takedown, unveiling criminal charges against 324 individuals, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals across 50 federal districts and 12 state attorney general offices. The alleged schemes involved over $14.6 billion in intended losses—a record more than double the previous $6 billion takedown

The DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Unit coordinated the investigation with the help of strike forces across the nation. Key aspects of the historical take down include the following:

Enormous monetary scale: Again, the federal government alleges $14.6 billion in intended losses in total across the criminal cases. Law enforcement has already seized $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and assets from alleged fraudsters. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also proactively prevented $4 billion in fraudulent payments, suspended billing privileges of 205 providers.

Professional License Defense – Physical Therapists

Published on: June 28, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Conaway & Strickler, PC handles assisting clients who face issues with the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy

We have handled many licensing issues including: (but NOT limited to)

-If you have been arrested for a DUI or any type of illegal substance, the Board will want to know. It is always a good idea to have an attorney assist you in notifying the Board and keeping them abreast of your criminal case and dealing with resolving any issues with the Board caused by the arrest

Know Your Rights

Published on: June 11, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

When you’re approached or arrested by law enforcement, it’s natural to feel scared, overwhelmed, or tempted to explain your side. But one of the most powerful tools you have is silence. Under the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination. This right is reinforced by your Miranda Rights, which police are required to read to you during a custodial interrogation. If you’ve heard the phrase, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” that’s your cue to stop talking and protect yourself.

Many people unknowingly waive their rights by speaking too soon or too freely. Even innocent statements can be twisted or taken out of context. That’s why one of the smartest things you can do is to invoke your right to remain silent and request legal counsel. Simply say, “I am invoking my right to remain silent. I would like to speak to an attorney.” Then stay quiet. You are not being difficult—you are being smart.

At Conaway & Strickler, we understand that early legal representation is crucial. Our experienced defense attorneys are here to protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the best outcome possible. If you or a loved one is facing an investigation or has been arrested, don’t speak to the police first—speak to us. Contact Conaway & Strickler today for a free confidential consultation.

Protecting Your Chiropractic License

Published on: June 6, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Putting your chiropractic license at risk could be incredibly detrimental to your professional and personal life. Here are some ways you can encounter issues with the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners:

-Engaging in immoral and unprofessional behavior

-Performing an act which in any way aids, assists, procures, advises, or encourages any unlicensed person to practice.

Georgia Teacher License Defense

Published on: June 6, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

If you are an educator in Georgia facing disciplinary action, the below may be helpful in understanding how you might defend any accusations that are lodged against you.

You worked hard to become an educator, but that could change in an instant. Disciplinary actions can be brought against you if you take part in any of these activities:

● Acting unethically, as defined by the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators (Standards 1–10, GaPSC Rule 505-6-.01).

Tax Evasion

Published on: June 6, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Tax evasion is a potential criminal charge. Tax avoidance is perfectly acceptable.

26 U.S.C. § 7201 defines what is tax evasion. It states in relevant part that any person who willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed by this title or the payment thereof shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $100,000 ($500,000 in the case of a corporation), or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.

Federal prosecutors might also add additional charges beyond tax evasion. Those charges could include conspiracy charges, under 18 U.S.C. § 371, or tax fraud under 26 U.S.C. § 7206. The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) recently released its Tax Fraud Report for fiscal year 2023. It states that off the 64,124 cases reported to the Commission in fiscal year 2023, 363 involved tax fraud (down 27% since FY 2019). It is unclear if this downward trend will continue.

Tax Crimes in Cryptocurrency

Published on: June 1, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Leona Helmsley, Jim Thorpe, Webster Hubbell, Alphonse Capone, and Peter Madoff are among many convicted of tax crimes such as tax evasion and tax fraud. The government generally targets groups like tax preparation firms and entities that are mainly cash based. But, the criminal division of the IRS has begun a more targeted approach to investigate and prosecute tax crimes in the cryptocurrency arena. Crypto investment schemes, for example, require investors to produce cash, but then convert the fraud proceeds to cryptocurrency to purposefully circumvent financial reporting requirements. These type of cases thus also involve potential money laundering, wire fraud and structuring charges,

The “newer” question on page 1 of the Tax Form 1040 now has a question that states, “At any time during the past year did you receive any financial interest in virtual currency?” In 2019, this question was only on Schedule 1. As of 2020, it is on page 1 of the Tax Form 1040. This is specifically targeted to combat cryptocurrency tax evasion.

Under 26 U.S.C § 7206(1), it is a criminal offense to file a tax return the filer knows is materially false. So, if you do not check that box on that first page, AND have substantial income in crypto, you might be targeted by the IRS. Remember cryptocurrencies are essentially similar to common stocks. This means a taxpayer must report their gains in cryptocurrencies on Form 8949. These gains are passed through to Schedule D on personal returns. The filer is responsible for paying capital gains tax on the net gain for the year. The government is long since versed in understanding the intricacies of the market like the role of hardware wallets, the use of DEXs, on-chain information, and how to track crypto movement across distributed ledgers. Please see here for a recent example of a case where non-payment of federal income tax on cryptocurrency earnings led to a conviction.

Department of Justice Fraud Prosecutions

Published on: May 28, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Fraud is a concept that has been in the criminal justice system forever. Google defines it as an intentional deception used to gain an unfair advantage or benefit, often involving financial gains. How does the Department of Justice prosecute fraud? Below is a non exhaustive list of charges that the DOJ can bring.

Wire fraud
Mail fraud

Legal Considerations for Healthcare Billing

Published on: April 25, 2025 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Billing to the United States government presents a unique set of legal requirements for healthcare professionals. Physicians who participate in federal healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid are subject to strict billing regulations. Even inadvertent errors can lead to severe legal consequences, including criminal charges. Understanding these laws and the potential risk of noncompliance is crucial for healthcare providers.

When the federal government is paying for items or services rendered to Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries, federal fraud and abuse laws apply. Healthcare professionals influence what services patients receive and are responsible for the documentation of those services. That documentation is the basis for bills sent to insurers, and ultimately, the Government’s payment of a beneficiary’s medical claims.

If a physician knew or should have known that the submitted claim was false, the attempt to collect unearned money constitutes a violation. Federal fraud and abuse laws include the following: