Here are three dental fraud cases Becker's has reported so far in 2023, totaling more than $2.9 million in restitution:
1. Brian Bui, DDS, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for COVID-19 relief fraud. Dr. Bui submitted false application paperwork to receive at least two Paycheck Protection Program loans for his dental business, according to a June 5 news release from the Department of Justice. He received approximately $1.89 million in loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act but used the funds in an unauthorized way, including for personal investments. Dr. Bui must pay $1,491,305.97 in restitution.
2. Jack Massarsky, DDS, was sentenced to two years in prison for embezzling more than $1.2 million from his employer and fraudulently obtaining government benefits in his employer’s name. Dr. Massarsky worked as a dentist and bookkeeper for a practice in Hyannis, Mass., between 2015 and 2021. During that time period, he opened a secret bank account under the dental practice's name and deposited insurance reimbursement checks into that account, embezzling more than $1.2 million. He also submitted a fraudulent application to the Health Resources and Services Administration Provider Relief Fund using the dentistry practice's name and fraudulently obtained more than $52,000 in pandemic relief funds, which were deposited into the secret bank account. He paid more than $1.2 million in restitution prior to sentencing.
3. Clarence Nabers, DDS, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit healthcare fraud. Dr. Nabers conspired to submit more than 6,700 fraudulent claims to three healthcare benefit programs. This resulted in a $249,600 loss for those programs. In addition to his prison sentence, Dr. Nabers must serve six months of home detention and one year on supervised release, and pay $249,600 in restitution and a $22,128 fine.