West Park Man Pleads Guilty To Filing Thousands Of Fraudulent COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Claims In The Names Of Homeless, Incarcerated And Deceased Individuals, Agrees To Forfeit Over $5.6 Million And Properties
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida dated Friday, September 20, 2024, announcing that Willie F. Murray, Jr., 55, of West Park, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. It states that he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and a consecutive two years for aggravated identity theft, and has agreed to forfeit $5,671,611.74 in U.S. currency, $1,578,925.56 from a bank account and seven real properties. According to the plea agreement, he was the registered agent and manager of Lab Tess, LLC, which purportedly provided COVID-19 testing but provided no such services, and used it to claim reimbursement from the Health Resources and Services Administration for testing of uninsured individuals. It was announced by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
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Press Release West Park Man Pleads Guilty To Filing Thousands Of Fraudulent COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Claims In The Names Of Homeless, Incarcerated And Deceased Individuals, Agrees To Forfeit Over $5.6 Million And Properties Friday, September 20, 2024 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Willie F. Murray, Jr. (55, West Park) today pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Murray faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense and a consecutive two years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft offense. Murray has also agreed to forfeit $5,671,611.74 in U.S. currency, $1,578,925.56 from a bank account, and seven real properties located in Punta Gorda, Fort Lauderdale, Belle Glade, Hollywood, and South Bay, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. According to the plea agreement, Murray was the registered agent and manager of Lab Tess, LLC, a Florida company that purportedly provided its customers with COVID-19 testing services. In fact, Lab Tess provided no such services. Murray used Lab Tess to submit fraudulent claims for reimbursement to the Health Resources and Services Administration for COVID-19 testing services supposedly provided to uninsured individuals. To complete the scheme, Murray used personal identifying information of individuals incarcerated by the Florida Department of Corrections, individuals falsely reported as having been tested at homeless shelters and electrical substations, and deceased individuals. Murray submitted more than 126,000 fraudulent claims and received reimbursement in the approximate amount of $5,671,611.74, which he used, in part, to purchase real properties in South Florida. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Pizzo and Suzanne Nebesky. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Updated September 20, 2024 Topics Coronavirus Disaster Fraud Financial Fraud Identity Theft Component USAO - Florida, Middle Related Content Press Release Formerly Married Couple Sentenced For Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Schemes Orlando, FL – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Nikesh Ajay Patel (40, formerly of Windermere), and his ex-wife, Trisha Patel, (41, Orlando), for their roles in a... October 9, 2024 Press Release Lehigh Acres Man Arrested In Connection With Multi-Million Dollar COVID Relief Fraud Scheme Fort Myers, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Lester John Parker, Jr. (55, Lehigh Acres) on a 15-count indictment related to his alleged involvement in... October 8, 2024 Press Release Lehigh Acres Man Indicted For COVID Relief Fraud Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Thakur Sukhdeo (38, Lehigh Acres) with wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions. If convicted, Sukhdeo faces a... October 8, 2024
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