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DHHS Fraud Defense

February 18, 2025

Last Updated on: 14th March 2025, 01:10 am

DHHS FRAUD DEFENSE: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW

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We’re Spodek Law Group, a nationwide federal defense law firm created by Todd Spodek, and we understand the fear and chaos that come with a DHHS fraud investigation. If you’re reading this, there’s a chance the government is already looking into you. Now is not the time for excuses or half-measures. This is the moment to face reality and defend yourself with everything you’ve got.

UNDERSTANDING DHHS FRAUD AND WHY IT MATTERS

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS.gov) is responsible for programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Agencies that are part of DHHS investigate healthcare providers, suppliers, and even individuals who receive government benefits. Fraud that is uncovered by DHHS can lead to serious consequences, which means you could face huge financial penalties, prison time, or both. You want to remember that your reputation, your job, and your entire future may be at stake.

Fraud that involves government health programs is treated as a federal crime, which means federal prosecutors and investigators can come after you. This isn’t a minor issue that goes away overnight. If you believe the investigators will “forget” about you, you’re lying to yourself. They rarely, if ever, drop a case once they decide to pursue it.

EXAMPLES OF DHHS FRAUD CASES

There are many types of DHHS fraud, including:

  • Billing for services that were never provided.
  • Falsifying patient records that were meant to show medical necessity.
  • Kickbacks or bribes that were exchanged for patient referrals.
  • Double billing and upcoding that boosted reimbursement rates.
  • Providing false info to obtain government payments that you weren’t entitled to.

Each of these actions can trigger a criminal investigation. If you are convicted, you could face time in federal prison. That prison sentence could ruin your finances, your personal relationships, and your career.

PENALTIES THAT CAN DESTROY YOUR FUTURE

The penalties for DHHS fraud can be severe. Convictions that result from federal fraud charges often include large fines, restitution, and possible jail time. Depending on how much money was involved, your prison sentence could be years long. If you hold a professional license, you also risk losing it, which means you may never practice in your field again. These punishments can leave permanent marks on your record. Background checks that reveal federal convictions close doors to future employment, crush your credit, and prevent you from living a normal life.

Because this is federal law, prosecutors tend to push hard for maximum penalties. If you think you can talk your way out of it, you’re deceiving yourself. They have entire teams that work on building airtight cases. If you’re not prepared to defend yourself, they will come at you relentlessly.

HOW INVESTIGATIONS USUALLY START

An investigation that is started by DHHS might begin with a complaint from a patient or competitor. It might also begin with a data analysis that was conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG.HHS.gov) that found suspicious billing patterns. Once there is a suspicion of fraud, agents will collect every piece of evidence they can. Evidence that was illegally obtained may be thrown out, which means the prosecution’s case can be weakened significantly. When key evidence is tossed, it becomes harder for the government to prove wrongdoing. If the judge excludes enough of this evidence, the case against you might crumble altogether.

That said, you can’t assume you’ll automatically find invalid evidence. You need an actual legal team to dig deep and see where the government made mistakes. Otherwise, you’ll never uncover potential flaws in the prosecution’s file.

STRATEGIES FOR DEFENDING DHHS FRAUD CASES

We are Spodek Law Group, a team that was formed by Todd Spodek, and we’ve handled complex federal and state investigations nationwide. If you’re facing DHHS fraud charges, you need a game plan that looks at every angle. Below are common strategies we may use in your defense:

1. ATTACKING THE EVIDENCE

Investigators rely on paper trails, digital records, billing statements, and witness statements. We examine each record to see if it was gathered correctly, or if it was tampered with. Records that were improperly seized by government agents may be thrown out, which can make your case easier to defend. Once that happens, prosecutors might lower charges or even dismiss the case.

2. LACK OF INTENT

Fraud cases often revolve around whether you meant to defraud the government. If we can show you didn’t act with criminal intent, the charges might be dropped or reduced. That can save you from a felony conviction and a long sentence. Not having criminal intent could mean you made an honest billing error or relied on bad advice from someone else. If that’s your situation, we will uncover it.

3. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

Cases that are too old may be blocked by the statute of limitations, which means the government can no longer pursue charges. If enough time has passed, we can file motions to have the case dismissed. This dismissal can save you from prison and from paying penalties.

4. SELF-AUDITS AND COOPERATION

Sometimes, the best option is to show you are willing to work with investigators. That doesn’t mean you roll over and let them do whatever they want. Instead, it means you might offer a quick settlement or a cooperation agreement if that helps you avoid serious criminal charges. This tactic can reduce prison time or fines if used properly. The key is to do it with guidance, so you don’t give away too much or make careless statements that hurt you later.

YOU NEED A LEGAL TEAM THAT GETS IT

You may be saying, “I’ll just wait and see if the government has a solid case.” That is exactly the kind of thinking that sets you up for failure. Prosecutors who specialize in fraud cases don’t quit easily. They will come prepared with data, documents, and experts who back their story. If you sit around and hope for the best, you’re basically handing them an easy win.

We pride ourselves on being relentless. We believe that every case deserves an aggressive defense, and we’re not afraid to go to trial. If you expect us to sugarcoat anything, that won’t happen. We’ll tell you exactly where your blind spots are and what you must do to fix them. We won’t let you hide behind weak excuses. This might feel uncomfortable, but it’s what needs to happen if you want a real shot at beating the charges or reducing them.

TAKING ACTION RIGHT NOW: YOUR NEXT STEPS

If you’re being investigated for DHHS fraud, you can’t afford to wait. Every day you wait is another day the prosecutors build their case against you. That can lead to arrest, indictment, or even conviction. Once those events happen, you’ll spend more time and money playing catch-up.

What you should do immediately:

  • Consult a criminal defense law firm that was built by federal practitioners. They can start investigating your case and develop a legal strategy.
  • Preserve all records that were related to the matter in question. Destroying records can bring obstruction charges, which adds another layer of trouble.
  • Limit your communications with people who might be tied to the situation. Don’t share details with anyone except your lawyer. That helps prevent new evidence from arising that can be used against you.

If you ignore these steps, you could make your situation worse. You’ll have no control over what evidence the government collects. You’ll also miss the chance to prepare your defense before charges get out of hand. Those mistakes that you refuse to fix now could lead to bigger fines, longer prison time, and permanent damage to your life. Is that what you want? I didn’t think so.

WHY SPODEK LAW GROUP?

We have over 50 years of combined experience defending federal fraud cases nationwide. We’ve been mentioned on all major news outlets, including media in NYC, because our roster of attorneys has handled huge, headline-making cases. We don’t care if other people say your case is unwinnable. We’ve taken on difficult cases before and found the cracks in the government’s story.

When you work with us, you get:

  • Deep legal knowledge of healthcare laws, Medicare regulations, and federal procedures.
  • Aggressive defense strategies that force prosecutors to prove every single claim.
  • A client-focused approach that ensures you understand your options at every step.

We believe in handling fewer cases so we can dedicate our full attention to each client. That means we only take on individuals we think we can help. If we work with you, it means we believe we can make a real difference in the final outcome.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Question Answer
What if I didn’t know the billing was fraudulent? You may argue lack of intent. If you truly had no idea, we could show you didn’t conspire to commit fraud.
Should I talk to investigators by myself? No. Anything you say can be used against you. Only speak to them with your attorney present.
Can DHHS seize my bank accounts? Yes, in certain cases. If they suspect funds are linked to fraudulent activity, they can freeze or seize assets.
Will I lose my professional license? Possibly. A conviction may trigger a license review or lead to suspension or revocation.

Knowing these answers can help you avoid costly mistakes. If you don’t follow this advice, you put yourself at serious risk. Then you wonder why the system “failed you,” when in reality, you failed to act wisely.

REACH OUT NOW FOR A RISK-FREE CONSULTATION

If you’re ready to get serious, call us 24/7 for a free consultation. You’ll be able to speak to a criminal defense lawyer who has experience with complex fraud cases. We’ll examine the charges, discuss your defenses, and propose a plan of attack. You owe it to yourself to choose a legal team that will fight like your future depends on it—because it does.

Don’t wait. Each minute you spend thinking about it is a minute the government is building its case against you. This is a fight for your life. Treat it like one.

Disclaimer

Spodek Law Group is a nationwide federal defense law firm created by Todd Spodek. The information here is not legal advice for your specific situation. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading or contacting us through this site. Every case is different, and results vary. For specific guidance, call us or speak to a licensed attorney in your state.

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