6 accused in MaineCare fraud scheme released from custody
BANGOR, Maine (WGME) -- All six people arrested and charged in connection with an alleged yearslong MaineCare fraud scheme have been released without bail.
A federal judge made the decision in Bangor on Tuesday.
Investigators allege Community Home Health Care, its owner and five employees defrauded MaineCare by billing for personal care services that were never provided.
The indictment names Noora Abd, owner of Community Home Health Care in South Portland, and five employees: Faysal Kalayaf Manahe, Adel Al Rashid, Sura Almohammed, Ether Alyaseen and Mohammed Alkhalaf.
All six pleaded not guilty. Community Home Health Care LLC is also named as a defendant.
An attorney representing Manahe told CBS13 on Wednesday that his client was released without bail because there was no "reasonable ground" to continue holding him.
"Manahe is enjoying his time at home," the attorney added.
CBS13 also received a statement from Al Rashid's attorney.
"Adel was released over the Government's claims he was a flight risk for the simple reason that he is not a flight risk. Adel looks forward to his day in court and denies the Government's claims against him," the attorney said.
Court records show all six defendants must meet certain conditions as part of their release.
Abd, Manahe, Al Rashid and Almohammed must report to U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services as directed, surrender their passports, refrain from contacting codefendants or witnesses identified in discovery and participate in location monitoring.
They must also obey the law, report law enforcement contacts, notify authorities in writing before changing their addresses or phone numbers and appear in court as directed.
Records detailing the specific release conditions for Alyaseen and Alkhalaf were not publicly available online as of Wednesday afternoon.
However, Alyaseen attorney issued a statement, saying:
"Mr. Alyaseen has committed no crime, and we look forward to an impartial jury clearing his name. The government's election-season grandstanding is disturbing, setting up for press conferences while federal agents made predawn arrests in family homes where young children were asleep in their beds. The Court quickly rejected the government’s request to hold my client and each of my colleague’s clients without bail, and for good reason- the government had no legitimate basis to make that request,"
All six defendants face charges related to the alleged fraud scheme.
Abd and Manahe are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and obstruction of a criminal investigation of a health care offense.
Alkhalaf is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and making false statements to law enforcement.
Al Rashid, Almohammed and Alyaseen are each charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
"These individuals are accused of submitting fraudulent claims for personal care services they never provided to clients and then pocketing those payments for personal gain," U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson said during a news conference Tuesday.
According to the indictment, MaineCare reimbursed Community Home Health Care more than $600,000 for personal care services supposedly provided to an unnamed client that prosecutors say were never rendered.
Investigators also allege employees shared login credentials and submitted false entries into an electronic visit verification system.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services suspended Medicaid payments to the agency in June.
That same month, prosecutors say Community Home Health Care learned of the investigation and attempted to mislead investigators.
According to the indictment, Abd and Manahe encouraged someone with knowledge of the alleged fraud scheme not to speak with law enforcement and to provide false information.
"Healthcare fraud in all its forms costs all of us, and today's arrest should make it clear that if, as alleged in the indictment returned last week, you steal from our healthcare system for your own financial gain, you too will be shut down and brought to justice," Benson said during a news conference Wednesday.
According to the indictment, prosecutors also seized more than $170,000 in cash and jewelry from two employees' homes in June.
Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of both properties.
The health care fraud charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
All six individuals and Community Home Health Care LLC have trial dates scheduled for Dec. 3.
Community Home Health Care is headquartered in South Portland and has operated as an in-home personal care agency for years.