Florida man pleads guilty to $5.6 million COVID-19 testing fraud

FLORIDA — A Florida man has pleaded guilty to charges related to a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme, involving more than $5.6 million in fraudulent claims.

Willie F. Murray Jr., 55, of West Park, is said to have been the registered agent and manager of Lab Tess, LLC, a company that purported to offer COVID-19 testing services. According to the plea agreement, Mr Murray used the company to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims to the Health Resources and Services Administration for COVID-19 testing services reportedly provided to uninsured individuals.

In reality, Lab Tess provided no such services, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO).

The USAO stated that Murray used personal identifying information of incarcerated individuals, as well as the names of deceased individuals and those falsely reported as having been tested at homeless shelters and electrical substations, to submit over 126,000 fraudulent claims.

Mr Murray reportedly received more than $5,671,611.74 in reimbursements, which were allegedly used to purchase real estate in Punta Gorda, Fort Lauderdale, Belle Glade, Hollywood, and South Bay.

Murray has agreed to forfeit $5,671,611.74 in U.S. currency, $1,578,925.56 from a bank account, and seven properties linked to the fraud.

Mr Murray faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud charge and an additional two years for aggravated identity theft.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Pizzo and Suzanne Nebesky are prosecuting it.