Prince George’s County Podiatrist Charged With Medicaid Fraud

BALTIMORE, MD (November 17, 2008) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Edward Michael Horvath, 50, of the 8000 block of Clifford Court in Laurel, Maryland, was charged in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City with one count of Felony Medicaid Fraud and one count of Felony Theft from the Medicare Program. Horvath was charged with falsely billing the Medicaid and Medicare programs over a five year period for podiatry services that he did not perform. Horvath’s podiatry practice is based in Prince George’s County and he submitted his requests for payment to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene located in Baltimore City.

Medicaid Fraud is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Felony Theft is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine. Criminal charges are but an accusation, and an individual is presumed innocent unless the State proves him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Attorney General Gansler’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case jointly with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. An arraignment is scheduled for December 4, 2008 in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.