Doctor's Office Manager Sentenced For Health Care Fraud, Identity Theft

NORFOLK, Va. – Catherine Nell Williams, 53, formerly of Virginia Beach, Va., was sentenced today to 65 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for health care fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Co-defendant Michael Inman, Sr., 66, of Virginia Beach, Va., was sentenced on September 12, 2013 to 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for health care fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Both are responsible for more than $308,000 in restitution.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Gerald M. Scheuer, Resident Agent in Charge for the United States Secret Service-Norfolk Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen.

Both Williams and Inman previously pled guilty to the health care and aggravated identity theft charges.  Williams pleaded guilty on May 14, 2013 and Inman pleaded guilty on May 31, 2013.  According to court documents, Williams was the office manager for a small psychological services business owned by one doctor.  One of her responsibilities as office manager was to deposit payment checks made out to the doctor from health care insurers.  These insurers were companies such as Optima Health, the military’s TriCare, and Aetna.  From August 2008 through February 2012, Williams’s stole approximately 596 checks and gave them to her boyfriend, Michael Inman, Sr.  Inman represented himself as the doctor and established a fraudulent business account.  He would then forge the doctor’s name on the back and cash them at Money Mart, a local check cashing business.  The cash was either deposited into Williams’ bank account or otherwise used by the couple.  The checks totaled approximately $308,000. 

This case was investigated by U.S. Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Randy Stoker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.