Winnie Waruru entered a plea of guilty to two counts of making false statements, one count of making a false statement in relation to health care, one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The date of her sentence is set for January 12, 2023.
Co-defendant Faith Newton owns a portion of Arbor Homecare Services LLC, where Waruru worked as an employee. In order to receive referrals, Waruru and Newton reportedly defrauded the healthcare system and paid kickbacks. Additionally, Newton allegedly cleaned up the money.
The conspiracy’s overall goal was to steal Medicare and MassHealth of at least $100 million. Waruru is in charge of charging MassHealth for fictitious skilled nursing visits totaling more than $1.2 million.
In addition to failing to give home health services that were medically unneeded or unapproved, Newton, Waruru, and others failed to properly train their workers.
Newton, Waruru, and other people pretended to be their patients’ employers while billing for phony visits.
According to the legal complaint, Newton specifically targeted patients who were low-income, on disability, and/or suffering from depression and/or addiction, either directly or through Arbor.
Due to the potential 10-year jail sentences associated with the accusations of health care fraud and conspiracy to conduct health care fraud, Waruru might spend decades behind bars. She also risks being fined $250,000, which is twice the amount of the funds that were laundered. The maximum penalty for the conspiracy to pay kickbacks is five years in jail, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. False statements are punishable by up to five years in prison, including false claims made in relation to health treatment.
main picture is of Co-defendant Faith Newton.
