News Summary
A 51-year-old massage therapist from Hephzibah, Georgia, faces charges in a large health care fraud scheme, accused of fraudulent billing practices totaling over $2.3 million. Dee Alice Moton, previously owning Flowing Hands Massage Clinical Therapy, allegedly billed the Veterans Affairs for services that were never provided. This case is part of a nationwide investigation involving 324 defendants identified by federal authorities under the National Health Care Fraud Takedown initiative, highlighting a growing concern over fraudulent billing in the health care sector.
Hephzibah, Georgia – A 51-year-old massage therapist has been charged in a significant health care fraud scheme, marking a critical point in a nationwide investigation by federal authorities. Dee Alice Moton, a former owner of Flowing Hands Massage Clinical Therapy in Aiken, South Carolina, faces serious allegations of fraudulent billing practices, which reportedly total more than $2.3 million over a two-year period.
Moton is one of 324 defendants implicated in the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown investigation, which has identified more than $14.6 billion in fraudulent claims across the United States. She has been formally indicted for billing the Department of Veterans Affairs for a variety of services that were never actually rendered.
According to legal documents, Moton’s fraudulent activity involved billing for services she did not perform, including complex evaluation and management codes that cannot be billed simultaneously, and using telehealth codes falsely while providing in-person services. The specifics of the allegations suggest a pattern of deceit where she billed for specialized treatments that veterans either did not require or could not possibly receive. For instance, one allegation includes billing for wheelchair therapy for a veteran who does not use a wheelchair.
Details of the Charges
The indictment against Moton outlines several key accusations, including:
- Billing the VA for unwarranted services totaling $2,373,147.22.
- Submitting claims based on evaluation codes contrary to common regulations.
- Fraudulent billing associated with telehealth claims despite in-person treatments.
The prosecution of this case falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. The breadth of the investigation into health care fraud has identified not only individuals like Moton but also other medical professionals. Out of the 324 charged, 96 are categorized as health care professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists.
Context of the Investigation
The National Health Care Fraud Takedown is a recurring initiative spearheaded by the federal government to address fraud in the health care system, which has led to significant financial losses across the nation. Authorities aim to crack down on fraudulent billing practices that exploit government health programs designed to help those in need.
In addition to the Mottton case, other significant health care fraud complaints have emerged, including the indictment of Christopher Norris, a 51-year-old health care provider from Augusta, Georgia, who is accused of Medicaid fraud amounting to $255,577.43 in false claims. These cases highlight a troubling trend within the health care sector, where dishonest practices undermine the integrity of medical reimbursement systems.
Furthermore, related criminal activities have also been reported in the Augusta area. Jill Claffey was convicted for misappropriating credit cards and funds from patients in the emergency department of Augusta Health. She received a three-month prison sentence, which was followed by a probation period, illustrating the various dimensions of health care-related fraud occurring in the region.
Continued Impact on the Health Care System
The ongoing investigations into health care fraud serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities within the system, particularly in areas involving billing for services rendered to veterans and other health care beneficiaries. As the legal proceedings move forward for individuals like Moton, the focus remains on safeguarding public funds and ensuring that necessary health care services are both accessible and legitimate.
The local and national response to these fraud schemes underscores the importance of vigilance in health care practices to protect the integrity of services meant for some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Hephzibah massage therapist charged in VA fraud scheme
- WHSV: Former Augusta Health employee sentenced for fraud
- News Leader: Emergency room patients bilked at Augusta Health
- The Georgia Virtue: East Georgia health care provider charged with Medicaid fraud
- Augusta Chronicle: John Oxendine sentenced in healthcare fraud scheme
- Wikipedia: Health care fraud
- Google Search: healthcare fraud
- Google Scholar: healthcare fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: healthcare fraud
- Google News: healthcare fraud
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
