SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Making False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters was sentenced on May 12, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Ricky Dean Johnson, age 59, was sentenced to 2 years of probation and fined $250.
Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2013, for False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters and Obtaining Controlled Substances By Fraud. He pled guilty to the false statements charge on February 19, 2014.
Johnson, a Medicare beneficiary, presented himself to multiple physicians at multiple health care facilities, complaining of pain and seeking prescription pain medications, including Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. To obtain the prescriptions from the different doctors, he falsely represented to each treating physician that he was not taking any other prescription pain medications.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.