Company, Owner Charged in Genetic Testing Fraud Scheme

In September, the Department of Justice announced charges against nearly three dozen individuals across five federal districts, including the Southern District of Georgia, for their alleged roles in defrauding Medicare for expensive cancer genetic testing that was medically unnecessary. The individuals worked for telemedicine companies and genetic testing labs.

The latest charges allege Siado and his company, along with other unindicted co-conspirators, paid individuals to solicit information and DNA swabs from low-income elderly residents, a press release said.

Defendants allegedly paid the individuals $150 for each “patient” whose information was obtained and transmitted to another unindicted co-conspirator company that would fraudulently bill Medicare and Medicaid. Prosecutors alleged Siado and his company received a kickback of $100 to $575 per test accepted for billing, the release said.