Macclenny doctor arrested for fraud
Macclenny doctor arrested for fraud
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Jacksonville Regional Operations Center, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Florida Department of Health announce the arrest of Dr. Charles Scarborough, 76, of Macclenny, Fla. Scarborough was arrested for one count of organized scheme to defraud over $50,000, a first-degree felony, and 821 counts of false or fraudulent insurance claims, a third-degree felony.
The investigation began in late 2011, when investigators identified Scarborough as a significant prescriber of controlled substances in northeast Florida. According to investigators, they discovered evidence that allegedly linked Scarborough to overprescribing of medications to patients as well as allowing unlicensed and untrained staff members to practice medicine. These employees were then being directed to inflate medical billing to Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers for a level of service that the patient did not receive. Interviews with employees indicated that Scarborough, a sole practitioner, pushed his untrained medical staff to see 50 or more patients a day and bill for medical issues not addressed and treatment not received – all with the intent of maximizing profit.
“We are pleased with the cooperative effort between the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, FDLE and all of the other governmental agencies whose efforts culminated with this arrest,” said Baker County Sheriff Joey B. Dobson.
“This is a prime example of law enforcement teaming together to remove a major violator from our community,” said Dominick Pape, Special Agent in Charge of FDLE’s Jacksonville Region. “This level of fraud has to be attacked by a team effort to be successful.”
During the course of the investigation, authorities teamed with the Florida Department of Health to obtain an Emergency Suspension Order for Scarborough’s medical license in October of 2011.
Scarborough was booked into the Clay County Jail. This case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Keith Kameg or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
