An Illinois man has pleaded responsible to his involvement in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme, in accordance with the Division of Justice.
Zishan Alvi, 45, of Inverness, Illinois, owned and operated a laboratory in Chicago that carried out COVID-19 testing.
From February 2021 by means of February 2022, Alvi orchestrated a scheme to submit fraudulent claims to the Division of Well being and Human Companies’ Well being Sources and Companies Administration (HRSA) for COVID-19 checks that had been both not carried out or had been inconclusive.
In accordance with court docket paperwork, the laboratory falsely launched unfavourable COVID-19 take a look at outcomes to sufferers, even when checks weren’t accomplished or outcomes had been indeterminate. Regardless of realizing this, Alvi prompted the lab to submit claims to HRSA for these checks, leading to over $14 million in fraudulent funds.
Alvi pleaded responsible to at least one depend of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 7, 2025. He faces a most penalty of 20 years in jail. The ultimate sentence will probably be decided by a federal district court docket choose based mostly on the U.S. Sentencing Tips and different statutory elements.
The announcement was made by Principal Deputy Assistant Legal professional Common Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Division’s Felony Division; Appearing U.S. Legal professional Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois; Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Felony Investigative Division; and Particular Agent in Cost Mario Pinto of the Division of Well being and Human Companies Workplace of Inspector Common (HHS-OIG).
The FBI and HHS-OIG are conducting the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Legal professional Claire T. Sobczak of the Felony Division’s Fraud Part and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten and Misty Wright for the Northern District of Illinois.
