A Hollidaysburg couple has reportedly pled guilty in an alleged healthcare fraud scheme. According to United States Attorney, Gerard Karam, John and Paula Johnson, both 62, pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States. John Johnson also pled guilty to another charge of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Federal authorities say in 2016, Johnson conspired with a number of people, including a man named Rodney Yentzer, to defraud health insurance companies by illegally billing them for urine tests, after the 2 went into business, and ran several “pain clinics” in the state. Investigators say the pair later sold their lab services to a “Critical Access Hospital” near the Florida/Alabama state line. As part of that agreement, Johnson and Yentzer would receive a $900 kickback for every urine drug test that was done. Federal prosecutors say the Johnsons face up to five years in prison, and John Johnson faces an additional 10 years on the healthcare fraud charge. Yentzer, who has pled guilty for his role in the scheme, is to be sentenced later.
