Health Care Fraud Lawyer New Kent County — Federal Defense Strategy
Health care fraud is a serious federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. If you are under investigation or charged in New Kent County, you need a Health Care Fraud lawyer New Kent County with federal experience. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Federal Health Care Fraud Law and Penalties
Health care fraud involves knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, like Medicare or Medicaid, or to obtain money or property from such a program through false pretenses. The primary statute is 18 U.S.C. § 1347. This is a federal offense, meaning your case would be heard in U.S. District Court, not a New Kent County state court.
Last verified: April 2026 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Founded in 1997, our firm is led by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor with a background in accounting and information systems, which provides a distinct advantage in dissecting complex financial evidence common in fraud cases.
Official Legal Resources
Understanding the law is critical. You can review the federal health care fraud statute at the U.S. Code (18 U.S.C. § 1347). For local federal court procedures, visit the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia website.
Local Federal Court Process for Health Care Fraud
Federal health care fraud cases in New Kent County are typically investigated by agencies like the FBI, HHS-OIG, or IRS-CI. The case is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Richmond or Alexandria. The process is markedly different from state court, involving grand jury indictments, extensive discovery, and sentencing under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
- Investigation & Grand Jury: A federal grand jury reviews evidence presented by prosecutors to decide whether to issue an indictment.
- Initial Appearance & Arraignment: After arrest or summons, you appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, are informed of the charges, and enter a plea.
- Discovery & Motions: Your healthcare scheme charge lawyer New Kent County will review all evidence and file pre-trial motions to challenge the prosecution’s case.
- Plea Negotiations or Trial: Most federal cases are resolved by plea agreement. If not, your case proceeds to a jury trial in U.S. District Court.
- Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider the “loss amount,” a key factor in fraud cases.
Potential Penalties for Health Care Fraud
In federal court, health care fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 can result in decades of imprisonment, massive fines, and mandatory restitution.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Fraud | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years per count. If violation results in serious bodily injury, up to 20 years. If death results, up to life. | Up to $250,000 (individual) or $500,000 (organization) per count, plus possible forfeiture of assets. | Mandatory restitution to defrauded programs, exclusion from participating in federal health care programs, professional license revocation. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Federal Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997. Our team brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to complex federal cases. Mr. Sris, our managing attorney, is a former prosecutor with a unique background in accounting and information systems, allowing him to effectively challenge the financial evidence at the core of health care fraud allegations. We approach each case with a detailed, evidence-focused strategy.
Our Approach to Federal Health Care Fraud Cases
We build a defense by meticulously analyzing the evidence. A medical billing fraud defense lawyer New Kent County from our team will scrutinize billing records, audit trails, and provider communications. We challenge the prosecution’s proof of intent, question the calculated loss amount (which drives sentencing), and explore procedural defenses. In one federal matter, attorney Matthew Greene, with over 30 years of experience including a 14-year contract with Child Protective Services in Alexandria, assisted in developing a mitigation strategy that significantly reduced a client’s exposure in a complex multi-defendant case.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Richmond Location — 7400 Beaufont Springs Dr, Suite 300, Rm 395, Richmond, VA 23225
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804) 423-1382
By appointment only.
Our Richmond location serves clients involved in federal proceedings in New Kent County. We are accessible via I-64 and Route 33. If you need a Health Care Fraud lawyer New Kent County near the federal courthouses in Richmond or Alexandria, contact us for a consultation. We serve New Kent, Providence Forge, and Quinton. 24/7 phone consultations are available at (888) 437-7747 — meetings are by appointment only.
Health Care Fraud Defense FAQs for New Kent County
What is health care fraud?
It is a federal crime defined under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 as knowingly executing a scheme to defraud a health care benefit program (like Medicare) or to obtain money from such a program through false pretenses, representations, or promises.
Who investigates health care fraud in Virginia?
Federal agencies including the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) typically lead these investigations, often in collaboration with state agencies.
What are common examples of health care fraud?
Common schemes include billing for services not rendered, upcoding (billing for a more expensive service than provided), unbundling (billing each step of a procedure separately), kickbacks for patient referrals, and providing medically unnecessary services or equipment.
What is the “loss amount” and why does it matter?
The loss amount is the total financial harm the court determines was caused by the fraud. It is the single most important factor under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for determining the recommended prison sentence range. Your medical billing fraud defense lawyer New Kent County will vigorously challenge the prosecution’s loss calculation.
Can I go to prison for a billing error?
No. The prosecution must prove you acted knowingly and willfully to defraud. Honest mistakes, clerical errors, or negligence are not sufficient for a federal fraud conviction. A core part of the defense is separating error from criminal intent.
Should I talk to investigators if they contact me?
It depends. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Speaking to federal investigators without legal counsel present is extremely risky, as anything you say can be used against you. Politely decline to answer questions and immediately contact a Health Care Fraud lawyer New Kent County.
Related Legal Services in New Kent County
If you are facing federal charges, you may need to explore other related areas. Our firm also handles business law and civil litigation matters which often intersect with federal investigations. For other federal charges, see our Virginia federal criminal defense hub. We also assist clients in neighboring areas like Albemarle County.
Page Last verified: April 2026. Federal laws and procedures change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current legal guidance regarding your specific situation.