Ghost Timesheets For Work Never Performed

Vincent Njong, 48, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty to health care fraud on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Njong submitted more than $66,000 in false claims to the District of Columbia Medicaid program while employed as a personal care aide.

Njong will face sentencing on Dec. 6. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and potential financial penalties. However, under federal sentencing guidelines, Njong faces a possible range of six to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Njong’s plea agreement requires him to pay over $66,000 in restitution to the District of Columbia. Additionally, Njong is subject to a forfeiture money judgment of over $43,000, representing his share of the proceeds from the scheme.

The statement of offense submitted during the plea hearing confirmed that Njong was a licensed personal care aide. Personal care aides assist Medicaid beneficiaries in carrying out their daily living needs. For example, they may assist beneficiaries in bathing, getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, taking medication, and going to the bathroom.

Kickbacks and False Claims

From September 2012 to April 2014, Njong submitted false claims through two home health care agencies. The claims were then submitted to the District of Columbia’s Medicaid program for personal care services.