Florida Healthcare Center Administrative Assistant Sentenced to Prison After Obstructing U.S. Department of Labor Healthcare Fraud Investigation

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – Following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced Jeffrey Adedoyin Williams – an employee at a Florida addiction treatment center – to 12 months and one day in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment after Williams pleaded guilty to obstruction of a criminal healthcare investigation.

The Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigation - in conjunction with federal, state, and local authorities - found that Williams obstructed justice while performing administrative duties at Deerfield Medical Center in Coral Springs.

Investigators determined that Williams – acting on instructions from Richard Botero, the clinic’s owner and custodian of records – removed computers, documents, and other items from the clinic’s offices to prevent and delay communication to the FBI after Botero was subpoenaed for information and evidence related to an investigation into substantive healthcare fraud and healthcare fraud conspiracy at Deerfield and Reflections Treatment Center in Margate.

“Knowingly interfering with an investigation by destroying or removing evidence in an attempt to keep it from investigators is a serious crime,” said Isabel Colon, EBSA’s Regional Director in Atlanta. “Healthcare fraud victimizes everyone. The U.S. Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring that benefits are not abused, and anyone found guilty of committing fraud or interfering with an investigation is held accountable.”

The investigation was a combined effort of EBSA, the FBI, the IRS, the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Personnel Management-Office of the Inspector General, the Florida Department of Insurance Fraud, the Martin County and Palm Beach sheriff’s departments, and other local police departments.

Employers and workers can reach EBSA toll-free at 866-444-3272 for help with problems related to private sector retirement and health plans. Additional information can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa.