AGO News Releases With Topic: Health

Arrest warrant issued for former medical equipment supplier believed to have left the country OLYMPIA — A Thurston County Superior Court Judge Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for the owner of medical supply company accused of Medicaid fraud. The warrant was requested so that the defendant can be arrested should he return to the United States.

OLYMPIA — An ophthalmologist today pled guilty to stealing more than $51,000 from state and federal health care programs. In July, state prosecutors charged Dr. Behrouz Pirouzkar with three counts of First Degree Attempted Identity Theft and two counts of Medicaid False Statement.

OLYMPIA – A Seattle woman was sentenced Tuesday for Medicaid fraud charges filed by the Attorney General’s Office.

 OLYMPIA – A prehearing conference occurred Wednesday for Jodi D. Becker of Eatonville. The defendant is charged with Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree for causing bodily harm to a Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) client, which led to his death. Becker, whose license was revoked by DSHS, was the owner and administrator of Eatonville Manor, a boarding home located in Pierce County.  She is also charged with 12 counts of Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Theft in the Second Degree and one count of Medicaid False Statement.  In addition to Becker, a separate charge of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree was also brought against the DSHS client’s medical provider, nurse practitioner Joanne Hardtke.

OLYMPIA — Attorney General McKenna announced today that Washington state has joined with 42 other states and the federal government in reaching an agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (Merck) to settle civil and criminal allegations that Merck marketed Vioxx for unapproved uses.

OLYMPIA – The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to hear the multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law.

 OLYMPIA – A Spokane County Jury on Oct. 21 found Melody Wright guilty of one count of First Degree Theft, and ten counts of Medicaid False Statements for obtaining Medicaid payments while not providing the contracted hours of service to her mother, a Medicaid recipient. As a result of her fraudulent billings, Wright received $13,092 to which she was not entitled.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that Washington state has reached a settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, Inc., concluding a government investigation into allegations that the company engaged in illegal off-label marketing schemes to promote the sales of its urology drug Detrol for uses that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today reiterated his position on the 26-state lawsuit challenging the federal health care reform law passed in 2010.

McKenna says Americans deserve a timely answer on mandate to buy federally approved insurance OLYMPIA – Today, the 26 states challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case in its upcoming term.