Rome couple accused of $30 million Medicare and Medicaid fraud
Published: 2010-07-17 15:34:20By: Alexis Stevens | Atlanta Journal-Constitution | April 16, 2010
While residents in their nursing homes suffered, a Rome couple is accused of using more than $30 million worth of federal funds to buy real estate and fancy cars, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
George D. Houser, 62, and his wife, 46-year-old Rhonda Washington Houser, were arraigned Friday on charges of conspiring to defraud the Medicare and Georgia Medicaid programs. George Houser also faces charges for allegedly failing to pay payroll taxes to the IRS and file personal income tax returns.
"These defendants are charged with spending Medicare and Medicaid money to buy cars and real estate while nursing home residents went without basic necessities such as food and medicines," U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a statement.
Between 2004 and 2007, the Housers managed two nursing homes in Rome and one in Brunswick, according to information presented in court. Federal and state programs paid the Housers for nearly all of the expenses for the care of the approximately 300 residents in the homes, according to Patrick Crosby, spokesman for the attorney's office.
The Housers continued to submit claims for payments and they received them, according to testimony. But the care they provided to the nursing home residents was inadequate.
Examples of the inadequate care include insufficient staffing and failure to pay vendors for various services.
"They allegedly failed to repair washing machines and dryers, water heaters, air conditioners and a leaking roof," Crosby said.
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