New River couple convicted of $12 million health care fraud scheme

A New River couple was recently convicted for their scheme to defraud the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) of over $12 million.

Thvoughn Lynden Curry, 34, and Alexis Daneen Curry, 34, were both convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, three counts of health care fraud and eight counts of transactional money laundering, according to a Friday press release.

The Currys will each face a maximum of 10 years in prison per count of conviction, a fine and restitution owed to AHCCCS, authorities said. They are scheduled for sentencing on May 4.

Authorities said the couple submitted a fraudulent application to enroll their “1 Family Clinic, LLC” as an AHCCCS provider. AHCCCS is Arizona’s Medicaid program designed to help low-income residents.

In the application process, the Currys falsely stated that Alexis was the “100% owner and only managing employee,” and that Thvoughn was also an owner and managing employee of 1 Family Clinic. Thvoughn also had an outstanding warrant for felony fraud charges at the time.

Once approved, the Currys routinely billed AHCCCS from around Feb. 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, for services that were not performed.

They billed more than 12 hours of service per member per day on average, while 1 Family Clinic was only open eight hours per weekday, five hours on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Over the course of the two-plus-year scheme, AHCCCS paid the LLC more than $12 million, authorities said.

Evidence at the trial revealed the couple spent much of the money on themselves, including the purchase of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus that cost more than $300,000.

“Medicaid provides an essential service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory said in the release.  “For these fraudsters to exploit this system and steal millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars is unconscionable. This guilty verdict marks a significant step toward justice for those victimized by the Currys and serves as a reminder that IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are experts at following the money.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to uncovering fraud and ensuring fraudsters are held fully accountable for their crimes.”

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