Treatment center owners sentenced to prison in health care fraud scheme

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Two substance abuse treatment center owners were sentenced to prison for their participation in a multimillion dollar health care fraud and money laundering scheme.

According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida, Tovah L. Jasperson, 48, of Wellington, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Alan M. Bostom, 75, of Wellington, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Both were ordered to pay restitution of $4,045,364.98. Jasperson previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Bostom previously pled guilty to one count of making false statements related to a health care matter.

The Amtrak Office of Inspector General is supporting the FBI-led Greater Palm Beach Health Care Fraud Task Force in its ongoing investigation into a series of complex insurance fraud schemes in Florida. The task force identified Jasperson and Bostom as suspects during its investigation. Amtrak OIG investigators were invited to be part of the task force in 2014 after Amtrak insurance providers received allegedly fraudulent charges from substance abuse treatment centers and facilities known as “sober homes” in the area.

The Amtrak Office of Inspector General was created in 1989 through an amendment to the Inspector General Act of 1978. Its mission is to provide independent, objective oversight of Amtrak’s programs and operations through audits and investigations focused on recommending improvements to Amtrak’s economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse; and providing Congress, Amtrak management, and Amtrak’s Board of Directors with timely information about problems and deficiencies relating to Amtrak’s programs and operations. More information is available at www.amtrakoig.gov.