News Summary
In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched the largest health care fraud enforcement operation in history, targeting over 324 individuals across the nation. Two South Carolina residents are among those charged, facing serious allegations of fraud related to Medicare and Medicaid. The takedown reveals a broad network of fraudulent activities, with losses exceeding $14.6 billion. The DOJ aims to protect vulnerable populations, including veterans, from exploitation and has seized significant assets associated with the fraudulent schemes.
Columbia, South Carolina — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated the largest health care fraud enforcement operation in the nation’s history, termed the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. This unprecedented crackdown has resulted in 324 individuals being charged across 50 federal districts, including two residents from South Carolina. The initiative aims to tackle fraudulent schemes that have allegedly defrauded federal health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to private insurers, amounting to a staggering loss of more than $14.6 billion.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling highlighted the DOJ’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding vulnerable citizens, especially veterans, from health care fraud. The taken down cases include a variety of fraudulent practices such as ghost billing—where services are billed even though they are not provided—using stolen identities, and filing false claims for services that were unauthorized or unnecessary.
In conjunction with this takedown, the DOJ has also seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets linked to fraudulent activities. The local charges in South Carolina reflect a much larger national initiative, with a total of 91 related state-level cases being pursued across 12 separate states.
Key Defendants from South Carolina
Two individuals from South Carolina have been prominently indicted during this operation: Tina Marie Armstrong, 67, from Florence, and Dee Alice Moton, 51, from Hephzibah, Georgia, both of whom are facing serious allegations of health care fraud.
Tina Marie Armstrong
Armstrong has been indicted on multiple counts of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Her fraudulent activities reportedly involved submitting nearly $199,000 in false claims through her business, Safe at Home Medical Equipment and Supplies, LLC. Of this amount, Medicare and Medicaid purportedly disbursed over $104,000 for durable medical equipment that was either never delivered, out of service, or not even prescribed. In addition, it has been claimed that Armstrong utilized beneficiary information without proper authorization and continued to bill even after patients had died or returned their equipment. Her case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday.
Dee Alice Moton
Moton faces charges for health care fraud in connection to her business, Flowing Hands Massage Clinical Therapy, based in Aiken. The allegations suggest she billed the Veterans Administration over $2.3 million for services that were never rendered during a two-year period. Specific charges against her include billing for both unauthorized services and services that veterans did not receive. The prosecution of her case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Matthews and Amy Bower.
National Implications and Goals
This health care fraud initiative has unearthed a broad network of illicit activity that extends beyond the two South Carolina residents, reflecting a systemic issue across the country. The ongoing investigation has revealed the illegal diversion of over 15 million pills of controlled substances, underscoring the scale and urgency of health care fraud in the United States.
The DOJ, along with partners including the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the DEA, is dedicated to holding accountable those who exploit federal health care systems for personal gain.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
Both defendants from South Carolina will face charges in U.S. district court, where they will be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Should they be convicted, they could see significant prison sentences and restitution orders for the stolen funds, reflecting the serious nature of the offenses they are charged with.
The results of this sweeping operation highlight the federal government’s proactive stance on enforcing laws against health care fraud, reaffirming a commitment to protect taxpayers and vulnerable populations from exploitation.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: South Carolina Healthcare Fraud Takedown
- WPDE: Florence Woman Arrested in Healthcare Fraud
- WBTV: North and South Carolina Residents Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
- Google Search: Healthcare Fraud
