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Posted: 10:05 AM Nov 5, 2009
Five Accused in Medicare Fraud Make Court Appearance
Hattiesburg, Miss. Five people accused of conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid pleaded innocent Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Hattiesburg.
Reporter: The Associated Press |
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4 Comments 
Five people accused of conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid pleaded innocent Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Hattiesburg.
The Hattiesburg American reported that two others had their arraignments delayed until next Tuesday.
The following suspects pleaded innocent Wednesday: Theddis Pearson of Houston, Texas; Telandra Jones of Duncanville, Texas; Dr. Cassandra Thomas of Jackson; Alonza Williams of Desoto, Tex.; and Dr. Colie Crutcher of Meridian. All were released on $50,000 unsecured bond.
Crutcher apparently practices in York, Ala.
An indictment alleges Statewide Physical Medicine Group billed Medicare and Medicaid for more than $39 million in services in Mississippi from 2000 to 2005. The government agencies paid out $18 million. It's not clear how much of that was obtained by allegedly fraudulent billing.
Latest Comments
In response to Renee- I understand how you feel, however your agruement is frail and weak for me. For one, Dr. Crutcher has more than senior citizens as patients, for I am one whom is far beyond my middle age or senior years. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with a doctor who specialize with specific types of patients. Just as there are lawyers who practice in specific areas or prefers to work with specific types of clients, there are doctors who do the same. As far a the blood work is concerned, I am curious as to why you didn't accompany your grandmother with her doctor visits. Furthermore, with respect concerning your grandmother, she could have refused to give blood or change doctors. Perhaps, there were other services that he provided that your grandmother valued more than her slight discomfort with his alleged excessive blood taking.
What ever happen to a person is innocent UNTIL proven guilty? It's odd how whe throw that phrase around, but we never practice it. Usually, a person is actually guilted until they prove themselves by legal standards to be innocent. As a person in the legal profession, I find it very sad that we as American citizens create laws, systems of ethics and due process; however, we almost never adhere to the laws that are in place. The product of this-a corrupt legal system, a legal system where laws, privilges and freedoms are given yet never equally monitored, enforced or practiced. With getting too political, I researched and seen so many accounts of injustice and flaws in our legal system. Though, I am an advocate of justice.
Dr. Colie Crutcher is no earthly good. He was my grandmothers doctor before she died. He was not a good doctor and he didnt have many patients other than senior citizens. I guess he figured that he could get away with his manipulations dealing with the older folks. She told me one time she asked him why do you have to take blood every single time that I visit. He did what he had to do to file double claims, he knew they didn't know better. I tried for years to get her to change doctors, but old people are set in their ways, and she wouldn't leave. I hope that these doctors pay for what they have done. You go to the doctor for help not to be scammed.
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