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TIFTON LAB OWNER, CORDELE DOC CHARGED WITH MEDICARE FRAUD

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The co-owner of a Tifton diagnostic laboratory and a Cordele physician are among those across the country being charged with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and other government programs in what is being called the largest health care fraud enforcement action in the U.S. Department of Justice's history.

Leland Roberts, 46, of Tifton, is charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare for more than $30 million for "medically unnecessary genetic testing," and to pay and receive kickbacks, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Roberts, co-owner, chief executive officer, and later consultant to Luminus Diagnostics of Tifton, allegedly "conspired with others to procure orders for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks, including orders acquired through purported telemedicine," according to the indictment.

The federal indictment alleges that Roberts and his co-conspirators allegedly designed the genetic-testing order forms to be “dummy proof”— with pre-populated diagnosis codes and check-the-box panels — and frequently billed the tests through another laboratory where co-conspirators thought the claims were more likely to be approved, which they concealed via a sham contract.

The Justice Department alleges that Roberts and his co-conspirators caused the submission of more than $30 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for genetic testing, and Medicare paid approximately $4.4 million based on those claims.

Roberts' attorney, Amanda Clark Palmer of Atlanta, released the following statement Thursday to the Tifton Grapevine:

“Leland Roberts is a devoted family man and upstanding member of the Tifton community. He denies every allegation of criminal wrongdoing. He looks forward to defending himself against these charges in court and will be entering a Not Guilty plea at the first available opportunity.”

Dr. Marion Lee, 61, of Cordele, is also charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare approximately $24 million for medically unnecessary genetic testing, and to pay and receive kickbacks, the Justice Department said. 

Lee, also a co-owner of and medical advisor to Luminus Diagnostics of Tifton, is alleged to have conspired with others to procure orders for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks, including orders acquired through purported telemedicine. 

Lee and his co-conspirators caused the submission of more than $24 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for genetic testing, and Medicare paid approximately $4 million based on those claims, the Justice Department said.

The charges against Roberts and Lee are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes involving more than $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and more than 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances.

"The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled, to line their own pockets. The government, in connection with the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets," the Justice Department said.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said “this record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers. Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

YES, LOCAL FIREWORKS CAN BE FOUND ON THE 4th

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Today is Independence Day, marking the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States.

The day is often filled with grilling out, picnics, patriotic music, and, of course, fireworks.

This year, several area communities held their fireworks celebration last weekend. But there's still public fireworks displays available on the Fourth in the Tiftarea.

One of the largest and longest-running Independence Day events in the area continues Friday in Enigma. Its Annual July 4th Celebration, hosted by the Enigma Fire Department, will have kids activities, food & craft vendors, live entertainment by Ten Mile Bay band and Karma's Child, and a fireworks show at dark.

The Enigma celebration goes on all day from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., at Enigma City Park, 195 Harris St.

Fireworks may also be viewed beginning at 9 p.m. at The Assembly at Adel, or Adel First Assembly Church, 601 Massee Post Road in Adel.

For those who don't mind traveling a little farther south down Interstate 75, the Valdosta Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority is once again hosting what it calls "South Georgia's Largest Fireworks Show" beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m.

The fireworks are best viewed on the Valdosta Mall side of I-75 between Exits 16 and 18.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July everyone!

Tifton Police Officer Jacob Stubbs and Narcotics Detection K-9 "Niko" with about 20 pounds of marijuana seized Tuesday during a traffic stop on I-75 in Tifton.

POLICE K-9 AIDS IN TIFTON DRUG BUST

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

With the aid of the Tifton Police Department's "drug dog," a traffic stop Tuesday netted 20 pounds of marijuana and an illegal firearm, police said.

Tifton Police conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 75 southbound that prompted a brief roadside investigation where evidence showed that the driver was involved in trafficking illegal narcotics, police said. 

"Officer Jacob Stubbs’ vigilance and proactivity resulted in the seizure of approximately 20 pounds of marijuana as well as seizure of an illegally possessed firearm," Tifton Police said in a press release. "Tifton PD’s narcotics detection K-9, 'Niko,' was able to aid in the investigation by alerting to the illegal narcotics in the vehicle,"

To anonymously report crimes to the Tifton Police Department, contact the tip411 alert system by texting TIFTONPD to 847411, or by downloading the Tifton Police Department app. 

ABAC PROF NAMED PRESIDENT OF SE WRITERS ASSOCIATION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Dr. Jeff Newberry, an English professor and poet in residence at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), has been named president of the Southeastern Writers Association (SWA).

The appointment was made official during the organization’s recent conference in St. Simon’s Island.

Newberry served as the group’s vice president last year. He previously served as president of the Gulf Coast Association of Creative Writing Teachers from 2011-2013 and was the faculty editor for Pegasus, ABAC’s literary magazine, from 2007-2014.

“I’m honored and excited to serve in this position,” Newberry said. “SWA has been helping writers for over 50 years. I’m happy to be a part of that tradition.”

Jim Furry, a South Carolina-based novelist and the SWA’s outgoing president, praised Newberry’s dedication and contributions to the organization in the past year as vice president.

“He planned our annual conference, facilitated the process of securing the faculty, and acted as webmaster for SWA’s internet presence,” he said. “Primarily due to his efforts and dedication, the SWA was able to have a nationally known best-selling author as part of the faculty, as well as four other prominent authorities in the writing industry. As a result of Jeff’s efforts, the conference was one of the most successful in SWA’s history," Furry said.

KTB NAMES 'BEAUTY SPOTS' FOR JULY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory board, has named the residential and commercial "Beauty Spots" for July.

The home of Walter and Jennifer Burns on Cypress Ridge Drive, pictured above, is this month's residential Beauty Spot. 

The Taco Loco restaurant at 901 Pine St. in Tifton (pictured below) is July's commercial Beauty Spot.

Keep Tift Beautiful promotes recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

From The Fields

147 Ridge Ave. S., Tifton

July 1

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, July 4, is Independence Day. The day commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America as its own free nation. The Revolutionary War, however, continued through the fall of 1781 when the British surrounded at Yorktown, Va., effectively ending the war.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

• Annual July 4th Celebration, kids activities, food & craft vendors, live entertainment by Ten Mile Bay band and Karma's Child, fireworks at dark, hosted by Enigma Fire Department; 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Enigma City Park, 195 Harris St., Enigma

• Fireworks, sponsored by The Assembly at Adel; 9 p.m., 601 Massee Post Road, Adel

SATURDAY, JULY 5

• Tifton Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

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"Queen" is exactly what her name suggests – elegant, wise, and full of quiet love. This beautiful, mature girl has been through her puppy years and is now looking for a calm, loving home where she can truly reign. Come visit Queen and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor

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