Health Care Fraud Charges Filed Against Nursing Homes

Federal and local law officials announced Tuesday that five individuals and two local nursing homes, Brighton Rehab and Mt. Lebanon Rehab, have been indicted on health care fraud charges.  The five individuals named in the indictment are 39-year-old Sam Halper, CEO and part-owner of both facilities; 35-year-old Eva Hamilton, former director of nursing; 61-year-old Susan Gilbert, former administrator of Mt. Lebanon Rehab; 46-year-old Michelle Romeo and 41-year-old Johnna Haller, co-defendants and regional-level employees. The indictment alleges that the defendants falsified staffing records and patient evaluations to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to increase Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.