HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A substance abuse counselor in Harford pleaded guilty to health care fraud on Friday, according to the justice department.

Former Connecticut CEO found guilty of health insurance fraud

Thelma “Wendy” Epps allegedly worked with Dennis Tomczak, another Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC), to bill Medicaid using Tomczak’s psychotherapy counseling provider number allegedly provided by Epps. The allegations falsely claimed that Tomczak personally provided the services. In exchange, Epps agreed to pay Tomczak 25% of what Medicare paid. In total, Medicaid paid him over $330,000.

Tomczak began a similar arrangement with another LADC, Shawn Tyson, when he expressed concerns to Epps about the number of services he was providing. Tyson allegedly provided Epps with login information to the online portal to submit her Medicaid claims. Epps would then allegedly use Tyson’s login information to submit false claims under Tomczak’s Medicaid provider number, until he began using Tyson’s number instead.

Epps agreed to pay more than $1 million in compensation to the Connecticut Medicaid program. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

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