Dr. Wendell Lewis Randall has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for committing health care fraud and money laundering. Randall, who ran his own medical practice, was found guilty of misusing government-funded health care programs to make illegal profits. He falsely billed Medicare and Medicaid for unnecessary medical tests and used the money for personal purchases.
According to court records, Randall owned and operated the National Institute of Toxicology, PLLC (NIT), where he treated patients and prescribed medications. However, instead of providing necessary treatments, he forced his patients to undergo drug tests at every visit, regardless of whether they needed them or not. These urine drug tests (UDTs) were conducted in his own laboratory and then billed to Medicare and Medicaid at the highest possible rate. Over the years, these fraudulent practices brought him millions of dollars.
How the Fraud Worked
From August 2018 to December 2021, Randall charged Medicare and North Carolina Medicaid for excessive and unnecessary drug tests. He received over $753,000 from Medicare and more than $1.29 million from Medicaid. His scheme involved requiring almost every patient to take drug tests, even if there was no medical reason for them. This allowed him to make large sums of money from the government-funded programs meant to help people in need.
Authorities also discovered that Randall used his illegal earnings to make significant personal purchases. One of these purchases included a building near his home in 2019, which he bought for $97,000. Instead of using the money for patient care, he spent it for his personal benefit.
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Law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), worked together to uncover the fraud. Investigators found that Randall was not only billing for unnecessary tests but was also prescribing controlled substances irresponsibly. He wrote prescriptions for opioids and other strong medications without properly evaluating whether his patients truly needed them.
Sentencing and Reactions from Authorities
Randall has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. This sentence will run consecutively with an 18-month prison sentence he is already serving for another crime in a different state. In addition to jail time, he has been ordered to pay back over $2 million that he fraudulently took from Medicare and Medicaid.
Officials expressed their outrage over Randall’s actions. They stated that health care fraud not only wastes taxpayer money but also puts patients at risk. Government officials and investigators emphasized that doctors and medical professionals have a legal and ethical duty to provide proper care to their patients. Instead, Randall abused his position for personal gain, worsening the opioid crisis by overprescribing dangerous medications.
Law enforcement agencies vowed to continue their efforts in identifying and prosecuting individuals who commit fraud within the health care system. They warned that those who exploit government programs meant to help the public will face severe consequences.
This case serves as a reminder that medical professionals who misuse their authority will be held accountable for their actions. The collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies played a crucial role in bringing Randall to justice. Authorities remain committed to protecting public health and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately.
