Two individuals associated with a mental health company pleaded guilty to health care fraud related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina. Haydn Thomas, 44, formerly of Durham, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today to one count of making a false statement relating to health care matters and one count of tax evasion. Catinia Farrington, 44, also formerly of Durham, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of tax evasion.

According to documents and information provided to the court, Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services, LLC (“DCMBHS”) in Durham. Farrington submitted false claims to Medicaid for mental health services that were not performed. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid that resulted in Medicaid paying approximately $4 million to DCMBHS. Also during the relevant period, Thomas worked as the practice manager for an oral surgeon and provided Farrington with name and Medicaid number of a dental patient, causing the filing of a false medical claim.