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Press Release

Health Care Fraud And Money Laundering

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia


Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Christine Rahl, age 46, a resident of Social Circle, Georgia, entered a plea of guilty today to a multi-count Information before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, United States District Judge in Macon, Georgia.  Count One charged Ms. Rahl with Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 669.  Counts Two through Five charged Ms. Rahl with Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1957.

Ms. Rahl was an employee with Marmalade Health which operates Abbey Hospice in Social Circle, Georgia.  Ms. Rahl was in charge of payroll for Marmalade Health.  The payroll and expense information was electronically submitted to Paychex who would then make electronic deposits into the accounts of employees.  In order to receive extra pay, Ms. Rahl gave herself unauthorized raises and submitted false expenses for herself.  Ms. Rahl continued this activity during a five and a half year time period.  In her plea, she admitted that she illegally appropriated for her own use and benefit $1,586,847.14 from Marmalade Health.  The money she received was deposited into the Wells Fargo Bank, where she would then write checks and use credit cards to purchase items for her personal use.

Ms. Rahl faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine and a $100.00 mandatory assessment fee per count.

“When Ms. Rahl committed health care fraud and embezzlement, she stole from a system designed to help those who are critically or terminally ill.  We will continue to use our investigative resources to vigorously prosecute individuals who defraud the health care system,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

The case was investigated by agents of the Human Health Service and Internal Revenue Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sharon Ratley.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.

Updated February 19, 2015