Milford Woman Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Patricia Delorenzo, age 59, of Milford, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today in Scranton to Health Care Fraud charges before U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, a criminal Information was filed in November 2012 charging Delorenzo with engaging in a scheme to defraud Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania for the period beginning May 2009 through December 2011.

     The charges stem from an investigation initiated in July of 2009 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

     Under the terms of the plea agreement, Delorenzo=s intended loss is approximately $20,000.  Actual loss is $10,188.88. Delorenzo will pay restitution for the actual loss amount and forfeit her professional counseling license.

     In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

     Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2013.

     Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.