Columbia’s Medicare Fraud Saga Takes a Dramatic Turn
Good morning, Columbia! How’s the weather treating you today? We’re expecting some patchy fog early on, but don’t worry, the skies will clear up a bit as the day goes on. We’re looking at a high of around 75°F, with gentle northeast winds blowing between 10 to 20 mph. So, if you’re heading out, maybe grab a light jacket, as temperatures will dip to a low of about 63°F tonight. All in all, it’s shaping up to be a lovely fall day!
Missing in Action: The Fugitive Businessman
Now, onto some not-so-pleasant news that’s stirring up quite the buzz in the community. Remember that huge Medicare fraud case known as “Operation Brace Yourself”? Well, the drama just took a wild turn as one of the main players, Herb Kimble, decided to play hooky once again in court! Can you believe it?
Kimble, who operates a call center in the Philippines, was meant to face the judge on November 7. But, instead of appearing in Columbia, he chose to skip out for the third time! His defense attorney, Jim Griffin, shared with the court that Kimble had sent him a rather odd email just days before saying he wouldn’t be flying back to the U.S. from Southeast Asia, where he has been living. Talk about dodging responsibility!
A Broken Agreement and Serious Consequences
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Anderson Jr. wasn’t too pleased with Kimble’s no-show. He officially ruled that Kimble broke the plea agreement they had down a while back. This means all bets are off for Kimble, who originally got a sweet deal that included no prison time because he had promised to cough up $40 million and cooperate with investigators until at least 2029. However, with his disappearance, he now faces up to five years in prison. Yikes!
Kimble managed to pay back about $7.75 million of that total so far, but that’s not going to save him from facing the music now. Judge Anderson even revoked his $5 million bond! And get this: Kimble can’t even back out of his guilty plea. Seems like he has nowhere to hide!
The Web of Fraud
For a little refresher, “Operation Brace Yourself” exploded into the spotlight back in 2019 when federal authorities uncovered this intricate scheme that defrauded Medicare out of a whopping $230 million. The operation involved questionable prescriptions for knee braces and other medical devices, all spiraling out from South Carolina—yet reaching much, much farther.
Kimble, it turns out, was a major player in this fraudulent operation, with his team of so-called “chasers” in the Philippines chasing down prescription information from unsuspecting elderly Medicare recipients. These poor folks often called in after seeing dubious television ads, which offered them braces “at little to no cost” if they were over 65 and on Medicare.
Once persuaded, telemedicine doctors were bribed to write prescriptions for patients they never even examined! The fraudsters sold this medical information to suppliers, who then shipped devices to the seniors and billed Medicare—talk about an elaborate scam!
What Happens Next?
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower has made it clear that the government is exploring all options to reel Kimble back to Columbia and hold him accountable. While the U.S. and the Philippines have an extradition treaty, bringing Kimble back could hit some snags due to loopholes. The judge expressed some doubt about the plea deal right from the start, and it looks like those concerns were well grounded.
In the world of fraud, Kimble’s story is a stark reminder that even those who seemed beyond reach can still be brought to justice—eventually. So, as we sit back, sip our coffee, and enjoy this beautiful day, let’s keep our eyes peeled on this unfolding saga. Will Kimble return to face the music, or will he continue to dodge the system?
Stay tuned for updates, Columbia, and don’t let the fog cloud your sense of justice!
