[00:00.0 - 00:02.6] Former pain management and doctor receives five years [00:02.6 - 00:04.5] in health care fraud case, [00:04.5 - 00:08.4] ordered to pay more than $15 million in restitution. [00:08.4 - 00:10.7] United States Attorney Richard W. Moore [00:10.7 - 00:12.7] of the Southern District of Alabama [00:12.7 - 00:15.7] announces today that Chief United States District Judge [00:15.7 - 00:20.0] Christy K.
DuBose sentenced Rassamon M. Terabane, 58, [00:20.0 - 00:23.1] a former neurologist residing in Fairhope, Alabama, [00:23.1 - 00:26.6] to 60 months imprisonment in a health care fraud case. [00:26.6 - 00:29.1] The judge ordered that Terabane pay restitution [00:29.1 - 00:34.1] totaling $15,010.82 to six different [00:34.5 - 00:36.4] health care benefit programs, [00:36.4 - 00:40.1] including Medicare and the Alabama Medicaid Agency.
[00:40.1 - 00:42.6] The judge also ordered Terabane to undergo [00:42.6 - 00:44.5] one year of supervised release [00:44.5 - 00:47.0] after finishing his term of imprisonment [00:47.0 - 00:50.1] and pay a 200 mandatory special assessment. [00:50.1 - 00:51.8] Terabane previously operated [00:51.8 - 00:54.6] the Eastern Shore Neurology and Pain Center, [00:54.6 - 00:56.9] a private clinic in Daphne, Alabama, [00:56.9 - 00:59.4] where he offered services relating to neurology [00:59.4 - 01:02.8] and pain management, such as spinal injections. [01:02.8 - 01:05.9] He had advertised himself as a world-leading physician [01:05.9 - 01:07.9] on his clinic's website.
[01:07.9 - 01:10.8] On June 28th, 2017, a federal grand jury [01:10.8 - 01:12.7] for the Southern District of Alabama [01:12.7 - 01:16.5] returned a 22-count superseding indictment against Terabane, [01:16.5 - 01:18.5] charging him with health care fraud, [01:18.5 - 01:21.4] making false statements relating to health care matters, [01:21.4 - 01:23.1] lying to a federal agent, [01:23.1 - 01:26.5] unlawfully distributing Schedule II-controlled substances, [01:26.5 - 01:28.1] and money laundering. [01:28.1 - 01:31.2] He was arrested two days later at Mobile Regional Airport [01:31.2 - 01:32.6] en route to the Middle East [01:32.6 - 01:35.2] and taken to federal district court in Mobile, Alabama [01:35.2 - 01:36.8] for an initial appearance. [01:36.8 - 01:40.3] On August 31st, 2017, Terabane pleaded guilty [01:40.3 - 01:43.9] before Chief Judge DuBose to one count of health care fraud [01:43.9 - 01:46.0] and one count of unlawful distribution [01:46.0 - 01:48.7] of a Schedule II-controlled substance.
[01:48.7 - 01:50.3] As part of his guilty plea, [01:50.3 - 01:54.3] Terabane admitted that from around 2004 to May 2017, [01:54.3 - 01:55.9] he ran an insurance scam [01:55.9 - 01:58.4] in which he induced patients to visit his clinic [01:58.4 - 02:00.8] so that he could bill health care benefit programs [02:00.8 - 02:03.9] for medically unnecessary tests and procedures. [02:03.9 - 02:05.9] The purpose of Terabane's admitted scheme [02:05.9 - 02:08.5] was to maximize personal financial gain [02:08.5 - 02:10.4] by fraudulently seeking payments [02:10.4 - 02:13.4] from health care benefit programs such as Medicare, [02:13.4 - 02:16.9] Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, [02:16.9 - 02:21.3] Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna HealthSpring, [02:21.3 - 02:23.6] and other private insurers. [02:23.6 - 02:24.9] In pleading guilty, [02:24.9 - 02:26.7] Terabane acknowledged that he violated [02:26.7 - 02:29.8] the traditional standards of medical care in numerous ways.
[02:29.8 - 02:31.8] For example, Terabane admitted [02:31.8 - 02:34.5] to administering unnecessary injections [02:34.5 - 02:36.2] and attempting to inject patients [02:36.2 - 02:39.0] in places where they were not experiencing pain, [02:39.0 - 02:42.0] telling patients that they had to receive spinal procedures [02:42.0 - 02:43.8] and diagnostic testing [02:43.8 - 02:47.4] in order to receive prescriptions for controlled substances, [02:47.4 - 02:49.4] using improper medical techniques [02:49.4 - 02:52.2] and equipment in performing procedures, [02:52.2 - 02:54.2] failing to provide informed consent [02:54.2 - 02:56.1] to patients about procedures, [02:56.1 - 02:58.9] superimposing his patients' electronic signatures [02:58.9 - 03:01.2] onto forms that indicated that his patients [03:01.2 - 03:03.3] were waiving their right to monitoring [03:03.3 - 03:05.1] against medical advice, [03:05.1 - 03:07.5] failing to monitor his patients' vital signs [03:07.5 - 03:09.6] during and after procedures, [03:09.6 - 03:12.0] putting them at risk for complications, [03:12.0 - 03:15.7] spending little time with patients to maximize billings, [03:15.7 - 03:18.2] discriminating against Alabama Medicaid patients [03:18.2 - 03:19.6] and services rendered, [03:19.6 - 03:22.9] including by singling out certain Alabama Medicaid patients [03:22.9 - 03:26.0] to receive spinal injections in regular exam rooms [03:26.0 - 03:28.7] as opposed to the fluoroscope procedure room [03:28.7 - 03:31.9] without imaging guidance if he was behind schedule, [03:31.9 - 03:34.6] fraudulently documenting patient records, [03:34.6 - 03:38.0] including by falsifying records to describe procedures [03:38.0 - 03:41.6] that were at times anatomically impossible to execute [03:41.6 - 03:45.4] and by falsely recording the use of imaging guidance, [03:45.4 - 03:47.8] submitting false claims to insurance companies [03:47.8 - 03:50.0] and inflating billing codes, [03:50.0 - 03:52.8] failing to properly train his clinic's employees [03:53.6 - 03:54.7] about best medical practices, [03:54.7 - 03:58.1] such as sterility and accurate record keeping, [03:58.1 - 04:00.6] issuing prescriptions for controlled substances [04:00.6 - 04:02.8] without a legitimate medical purpose [04:02.8 - 04:06.0] and outside the usual course of professional practice, [04:06.0 - 04:09.2] including by relying on presigning blank prescriptions [04:09.2 - 04:12.8] when outside the United States to prescribe opioids, [04:12.8 - 04:16.4] disregarding audits and regulatory actions. [04:16.4 - 04:18.9] During Tarabane's healthcare fraud scheme, [04:18.9 - 04:21.1] the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners [04:21.1 - 04:23.6] and several healthcare benefit programs [04:23.6 - 04:26.1] had repeatedly placed Tarabane on notice, [04:26.1 - 04:28.0] both verbally and in writing, [04:28.0 - 04:30.7] for shortcomings in his medical practice, [04:30.7 - 04:33.4] such as performing unnecessary procedures [04:33.4 - 04:35.4] and prescribing controlled substances [04:35.4 - 04:37.7] for no legitimate medical purpose. [04:37.7 - 04:40.6] Despite receiving multiple warnings and reprimands, [04:40.6 - 04:43.8] Tarabane persisted in his offense conduct for years [04:43.8 - 04:46.3] and made millions of dollars in the process.
[04:46.3 - 04:48.6] As a result of his felony convictions, [04:48.6 - 04:51.5] Tarabane is prohibited from practicing medicine [04:51.5 - 04:54.7] and prescribing controlled substances in the United States. [04:54.7 - 04:57.2] Moreover, he has agreed to forfeit numerous properties [04:57.2 - 04:59.7] in connection with his healthcare fraud scheme. [04:59.7 - 05:02.7] These assets include $3,717,249.73 [05:06.6 - 05:08.2] seized by law enforcement officials [05:08.2 - 05:10.6] who executed warrants on eight financial accounts [05:10.6 - 05:15.6] in June 2017, $287,983.25, [05:16.8 - 05:20.1] cash seized by officials while executing a search warrant [05:20.1 - 05:23.0] at Tara Baines' home in October, 2016.
[05:23.8 - 05:25.8] Eight real estate properties. [05:25.8 - 05:28.2] Six of these properties were previously sold [05:28.2 - 05:31.9] to generate funds for restitution to financial victims, [05:31.9 - 05:36.9] netting around 1,639,636 dollars. [05:38.5 - 05:41.1] Upon completion of the forfeiture process, [05:41.1 - 05:42.6] the United States will request [05:42.6 - 05:45.2] that the Department of Justice's Money Laundering [05:45.2 - 05:48.7] and Asset Recovery Section direct that all forfeited [05:48.7 - 05:51.8] and liquidated assets be restored to the crime victims [05:51.8 - 05:54.8] to provide them as much restitution as possible.
[05:54.8 - 05:56.6] Several of Tara Baines' former patients [05:56.6 - 05:58.7] spoke at today's sentencing hearing. [05:58.7 - 06:01.1] They described to Chief Judge DuBose [06:01.1 - 06:03.4] the lingering physical and emotional impact [06:03.4 - 06:05.6] of the treatment they received from Tara Baines [06:05.6 - 06:06.5] at his clinic. [06:06.5 - 06:08.2] One patient told the judge, [06:08.2 - 06:10.0] Dr.
Tara Baines can forget me, [06:10.0 - 06:13.3] but his name is etched in my mind the rest of my life. [06:13.3 - 06:14.4] Referring to Tara Baines, [06:14.4 - 06:16.1] this patient also noted, [06:16.1 - 06:18.5] no matter how much time in prison he gets, [06:18.5 - 06:20.6] I am imprisoned in this body. [06:20.6 - 06:23.1] Another former patient who received spinal injections [06:23.1 - 06:24.9] from Tara Baines said in court, [06:24.9 - 06:27.4] he ruined my life for the rest of my life.
[06:27.4 - 06:29.2] The patient went on to remark, [06:29.2 - 06:32.6] I feel sorry he let his greed take people's lives. [06:32.6 - 06:34.8] A third patient victim portrayed Tara Baines [06:34.8 - 06:37.2] as a disgrace upon the medical profession. [06:37.2 - 06:39.2] Dr.
Tara Baines also briefly addressed [06:39.2 - 06:40.6] the court at sentencing. [06:40.6 - 06:42.1] He told the judge, [06:42.1 - 06:44.5] my American dream came to a complete end, [06:44.5 - 06:46.9] as did my career as a doctor. [06:46.9 - 06:48.7] Tara Baines has a related state case [06:48.7 - 06:51.4] pending in Montgomery County, Alabama.
[06:51.4 - 06:54.3] On June 16, 2017, a state grand jury [06:54.3 - 06:57.3] returned a two count indictment against Tara Baines, [06:57.3 - 06:59.1] charging him with Medicaid fraud [06:59.1 - 07:01.6] and theft of property in the first degree, [07:01.6 - 07:03.5] each a felony offense. [07:03.5 - 07:05.8] On September 19th, 2017, [07:05.8 - 07:09.1] Tara Baines pleaded guilty in state court to Medicaid fraud. [07:09.1 - 07:11.7] His expected sentencing date in that case [07:11.7 - 07:13.9] is June 28th, 2018.
[07:13.9 - 07:15.9] United States Attorney Moore stated, [07:15.9 - 07:18.5] medical professionals must be trustworthy. [07:18.5 - 07:21.3] When they mistreat their patients and break the law, [07:21.3 - 07:23.5] they must be held to account. [07:23.5 - 07:26.0] In this case, the defendant stole millions of dollars [07:26.0 - 07:27.8] from healthcare benefit programs [07:27.8 - 07:30.6] and sacrificed the health of his patients for greed.
[07:30.6 - 07:33.1] I thank all the investigators for their hard work [07:33.1 - 07:35.8] for helping to bring this defendant to justice [07:35.8 - 07:38.2] and protecting the public safety. [07:38.2 - 07:40.0] Healthcare fraud and opioid abuse [07:40.0 - 07:43.3] continue to have a devastating impact on our communities, [07:43.3 - 07:45.4] both locally and nationwide. [07:45.4 - 07:48.1] Our office's prosecution of Dr.
Tara Baines [07:48.1 - 07:50.4] is an example of the Department of Justice's [07:50.4 - 07:54.1] unwavering commitment to combating healthcare fraud [07:54.1 - 07:56.7] in our country's opioid epidemic. [07:56.7 - 07:59.7] This doctor's actions demonstrate an appalling abuse [07:59.7 - 08:02.9] of his patients' trust and callous exploitation [08:02.9 - 08:04.5] of their medical conditions [08:04.5 - 08:07.4] to cheat healthcare and insurance agencies [08:07.4 - 08:09.1] out of millions of dollars, [08:09.1 - 08:12.2] said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. [08:12.2 - 08:15.4] I am proud of the work by my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit [08:15.4 - 08:17.7] in partnership with the U.S.
Attorney's Office [08:17.7 - 08:19.9] for the Southern District of Alabama, [08:19.9 - 08:23.9] the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, [08:23.9 - 08:27.4] the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, [08:27.4 - 08:30.1] and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [08:30.1 - 08:33.5] Office of Inspector General, OIG, [08:33.5 - 08:35.5] to bring Tara Baines to justice [08:35.5 - 08:37.7] and am pleased that he has been held to account [08:37.7 - 08:39.2] with this prison sentence [08:39.2 - 08:42.6] in order to pay restitution for his crimes. [08:42.6 - 08:46.0] FBI Special Agent in Charge James Jewell stated, [08:46.0 - 08:49.1] the FBI is dedicated to identifying and assisting [08:49.1 - 08:50.6] in the prosecution of doctors [08:50.6 - 08:53.5] that clearly take advantage of the medical system.
[08:53.5 - 08:55.8] This case shows that the law enforcement community [08:55.8 - 08:58.0] in the state of Alabama will work together [08:58.0 - 09:01.1] to bring these corrupt caregivers to justice. [09:01.1 - 09:02.9] Rahsaan Tara Baines took an oath [09:02.9 - 09:05.7] to serve humanity as a medical professional [09:05.7 - 09:07.8] and decided to violate that oath [09:07.8 - 09:09.1] and his duty by choosing [09:09.1 - 09:11.9] to unlawfully distribute prescription drugs [09:11.9 - 09:16.9] and commit healthcare fraud for one sole purpose, greed. [09:16.9 - 09:18.3] His disgraceful conduct [09:18.3 - 09:21.3] as part of the massive opioid epidemic Alabama [09:21.3 - 09:24.1] and the entire nation is facing today.
[09:24.1 - 09:25.6] Let this sentence be a message [09:25.6 - 09:28.9] to all the DEA will continue to pursue. [09:28.9 - 09:32.3] Arrest and prosecute drug traffickers of every type, [09:32.3 - 09:34.6] including rouge medical professionals. [09:34.6 - 09:37.8] We will continue to work with all of our law enforcement [09:37.8 - 09:40.1] and community partners in an effort [09:40.1 - 09:43.9] to combat this opioid epidemic and keep our communities safe, [09:43.9 - 09:47.9] stated DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Brett Hamilton.
[09:47.9 - 09:50.9] Schemes such as this deprive federal healthcare programs [09:50.9 - 09:53.4] of the ability to deliver quality care [09:53.4 - 09:55.0] and ultimately cheat patients [09:55.0 - 09:58.7] out of vital taxpayer funded programs, said Derek L. [09:58.7 - 10:01.0] Jackson, Special Agent in Charge [10:01.0 - 10:02.8] of the Office of Inspector General [10:02.8 - 10:05.6] of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[10:05.6 - 10:08.7] The OIG continues to emphasize the investigation [10:08.7 - 10:12.4] of unscrupulous providers who put their own financial gain [10:12.4 - 10:14.7] above that of the health of their patients. [10:14.7 - 10:17.3] The FBI, DEA, OIG, [10:17.3 - 10:19.6] and Alabama Medicaid Fraud Control Unit [10:19.6 - 10:21.6] investigated the federal case. [10:21.6 - 10:24.6] Assistant United States Attorney Sinan Kalioglu [10:24.6 - 10:26.5] prosecuted the federal case.
[10:26.5 - 10:28.9] Assistant Attorney General Bruce M. Lieberman [10:28.9 - 10:31.1] is prosecuting the state case. [10:31.1 - 10:33.4] Source, oig.gov.
