Northern Michigan Physician Assistant Charged With Covid-19 Pandemic Assistance Fraud
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan dated Tuesday, June 18, 2024, announcing that Todd Martin Kreykes, 60, of Kalkaska County, a physician assistant, was charged in a felony information with theft of government property related to his use of COVID-19 pandemic funding. It states that the funding was used to purchase vehicles and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, remodel his home, and pay for vacations and personal expenses, and its subtitle states the funds were targeted for patient care at Boardman Family Practice. The release states that he faces up to 10 years in prison, has agreed to plead guilty to the information, and has agreed in a written plea agreement to make full restitution before sentencing. It was announced by U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.
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Press Release Northern Michigan Physician Assistant Charged With Covid-19 Pandemic Assistance Fraud Tuesday, June 18, 2024 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Michigan Todd Kreykes Admitted Using COVID-19 Pandemic Funds Targeted for Patient Care at Boardman Family Practice for His Own Benefit GRAND RAPIDS , MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Todd Martin Kreykes, 60, of Kalkaska County, was charged in a felony information with theft of government property related to his use of COVID-19 pandemic funding to purchase vehicles, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, remodel his home, and otherwise pay for vacations and his personal expenses. “Every dollar that Todd Kreykes spent on luxury goods and vacations was one less dollar to help businesses struggling during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “This conviction can’t make up for that lost assistance now, but it can vindicate the taxpayers and show that criminals who defraud the government will be held accountable.” Kreykes faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Kreykes has agreed to plead guilty to the felony information and, as part of a written plea agreement, has agreed to make full restitution to the applicable federal pandemic programs prior to his sentencing hearing. According to the felony information, from April 2020, until November 2021, Boardman Family Practice received over $294,000.00 from the United States through various federal programs designed to assist medical providers in providing care and treatment for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, CARES Act Rural Health Center Distribution, Rural Health Center Testing Program, and the Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence Program. Kreykes accepted these federal payments and attested to the accompanying terms and conditions that required the funding to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, or to reimburse the recipient for health care expenses or lost revenues attributable to the coronavirus. Instead, Kreykes stole over $200,000.00 of the federal funds and converted them to his own use by spending the federal funds on a new truck, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a camper, and other personal items and expenses, remodeling his home, paying off personal loans, and taking vacations, all in violation of the terms and conditions of the federal programs. “Providers who misappropriated federal funds intended to offset costs associated with medical services during the COVID-19 public health emergency showed disregard for taxpayers and the individuals relying on these vital programs,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) . “Our agency, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to ensuring the integrity of federal programs designed to protect public health.” The U.S. Health and Human Service Office of Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Stella is prosecuting the case. The charges in a felony information are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. ### Updated June 18, 2024 Topic Financial Fraud Component USAO - Michigan, Western Related Content Press Release Sixth Defendant Sentenced For Role In International Scam Targeting The Elderly 50 Elderly Victims Lost $11 million October 31, 2024 Press Release Country Club To Pay Over $440,000 To Resolve Allegations It Received Paycheck Protection Program Loan As An Ineligible Nonprofit Organization Resolution Builds on a Steady Stream of Civil and Criminal Cases to Protect Taxpayer Dollars Spent as Pandemic-Related Assistance August 28, 2024 Press Release Two Defendants Sentenced For “Horrific” Fraud Scheme That “Preyed Upon” Elderly Victims August 16, 2024
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