East Texas medical salesman among those to pay $1.4M settlement over healthcare fraud

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – An East Texas marketer is one of seven individuals who have agreed to pay a portion of the $1,459,620 settlement to resolve allegations of paying kickbacks to doctors.

“The Department of Justice will continue to pursue and prioritize healthcare fraud, including redressing illegal kickbacks,” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division said. “Kickbacks to doctors can undermine medical decision-making, subject patients to wasteful medical treatments and squander taxpayer money.”

The U.S. has recently taken over civil lawsuits filed under the False Claims Act in the cases of doctors, executives and marketers who allegedly engaged in illegal payments to doctors for laboratory referrals, which were disguised as managed service organization (MSO) investments.

The seven marketers and associated entities listed below have each agreed to pay a total of $1,459,620 to have their allegations of paying kickbacks dropped by the federal government:

• Former Boston Heart sales representative Jeffrey Parnell of Tyler
• Former True Health Account Executive Courtney Love of Dallas
• Former True Health Director of Strategic Accounts Stephen Kash of Winnie
• Former Boston Heart Area Sales Manager Laura Howard of Lucas
• Stanley Jones of San Antonio, part-owner with Parnell of Texas marketing company LGRB Management Services LLC.
• Jordan Perkins of Conroe and Ruben Marioni of Spring, co-owners of Texas marketing company Next Level Healthcare Consultants LLC.

Parnell was part of a criminal trial brought against those involved with a $1.2 billion dollar healthcare kickback conspiracy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve one year of probation and to pay a $100 fine in 2024.

According to Combs’ office, the Department of Justice has won more than $59 million in settlements for healthcare kickback schemes. To learn more, visit the Department of Justice online.

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