A former Kentucky resident has been sentenced to over a year in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering through his Durable Medical Equipment (DME) businesses. Shafi Abbas, 57, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett from the Western District of Kentucky announced the sentencing alongside Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Tamala Miles from the United States Department for Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Atlanta Regional Office.
Court documents revealed that Abbas operated Aidmen Medical Equipment LLC and Justright Medical Equipment LLC, where he fraudulently billed Medicare for unnecessary Durable Medical Equipment that patients did not want or need and which were not prescribed by their medical providers. Additionally, Abbas transferred funds derived from these unlawful activities, amounting to more than $10,000.
Abbas has been ordered to pay restitution totaling $1,333,722.21. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and HHS, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari prosecuting the case.
There is no parole available in the federal system.