ATLANTA — The Justice Department is suing two former executives of an Atlanta-based laboratory accused of fraudulently billing Medicare for about $13.7 million in unnecessary lab tests.
The False Claims Act complaint names Jay Johnson and Austin Whiles, former executives with Capstone Diagnostics.
Federal prosecutors say that between 2019 and 2021, Johnson and Whiles targeted faith-based communities and older adults, including religious events and senior living facilities, as part of the alleged scheme.
The U.S. Attorney in Atlanta says Medicare paid about $13.7 million for different types of lab tests that were not necessary.
Johnson is also facing criminal health care and wire fraud charges. He is accused of exploiting church health fairs and other religious-based gatherings.
A former lab manager for Capstone Diagnostics filed the initial lawsuit as a whistleblower.
The Justice Department is handling the False Claims Act complaint with assistance from other departments.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Bill Caiaccio contributed to this story.