Manassas Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Health Care Fraud Scheme

(Alexandria, Virginia) - Ibiteme Richard Bristol, age 31, of Manassas, Virginia, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison followed by three years supervised release for engaging in a scheme to commit health care fraud. Bristol was also ordered to pay $892,797.77 in restitution. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Bob McDonnell, Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and, Joseph Persichini, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

According to court documents, Bristol, operating as Bristol Nursing Services, provided respite care and personal care services to Medicaid recipients. From January 2006 until September 2007, Bristol submitted 574 false claims totaling $892,797.77 for payment to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). Bristol used nursing aides who were not qualified and not supervised by a registered nurse (RN) as required. To further the scheme Bristol forged the signature of a registered nurse on patient records. Additionally, Bristol falsely claimed payment from the Department of Medical Assistance Services for hours in which the nursing aides did not work.

This case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Erickson.
###

# # #