The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania disclosed Oct. 19 that Joann Wingate, 58, was indicted by a federal grand jury Sept. 28 on various counts, including wire fraud, submitting false documents and aggravated identify theft.
Ms. Wingate allegedly used the identity of a licensed physician to perform physical exams on truck drivers and test them for drug use between 2012 and 2014, according to the report. She had been a licensed chiropractor, but records show her license expired in October 2014.
A local trucking firm had entered into a business agreement with Ms. Wingate, and under the agreement she led the firm’s driver drug and alcohol program requirements, collected urine samples and dispatched the samples to medical laboratories while claiming to be a medical review officer, according to the report. Ms. Wingate is also accused in the indictment of performing medical examinations and sending false documents to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on behalf of the company.
Ms. Wingate could face a maximum penalty of a life sentence in prison, a term of supervised release following incarceration and a fine, according to the report.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
Petition alleges University of Minnesota broke state fetal tissue laws
State denies WKONA protest over $22M WKU deal
New era of healthcare fraud investigations puts spotlight on the C-suite
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.