G2 News-At-A-Glance: Fraudsters Come in All Genders and Age Groups

In a one-count indictment, 62-year-old Mary Monica Wilson-Lefler of Sewickley, Pa., was accused of violations of the False Claims Act. Wilson-Lefler, described as a salesperson, offered a business arrangement to two Pittsburgh durable medical equipment (DME) companies involving special air mattresses known as powered pressure reducing mattresses or PPRAMS. These devices are designed to reduce serious skin ulcers in bedridden patients. Wilson-Lefler would visit long-term-care facilities to find patients and then, according to the indictment, she would handle all of the paperwork necessary to allow the DME companies to submit the claims for the mattresses. In some cases, Wilson-Lefler fabricated skin conditions and is accused of forging documents, including physician orders. None of the 83 patients for whom claims were submitted had any serious skin conditions, and they did not need the mattresses at all, according to the indictment. The scheme netted nearly $200,000 for the DME companies and the same amount for Wilson-Lefler. Wilson-Lefler faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.