Between 2010 And 2015, Jonathan Bronson Repeatedly Visited Numerous Upstate New York Hospitals And Misrepresented Facts To Obtain Prescription Medication, Payout From His Insurance Company
UTICA – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott today announced the guilty plea of Jonathan Bronson, 39, of Westernville, NY, for having engaged in a lengthy scheme to defraud numerous medical care providers from August 1, 2010, through February 11, 2015. Mr. Bronson pleaded guilty to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class E felony, for which he has been promised a sentence of six months of incarceration and five years of probation.
Mr. Bronson pleaded guilty after an investigation revealed an ongoing scheme in which Mr. Bronson was treated by physicians at emergency rooms, sometimes several times per week. According to documents filed in court, while being treated, Mr. Bronson complained of pain and demanded that Dilaudid be provided to him intravenously, engaged in drug-seeking behavior according to emergency room physicians and staff, and would leave the respective hospitals when defendant learned that he would not receive Dilaudid.
“My office is committed to ensuring that there is one set of rules for everyone,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Mr. Bronson’s conviction sends the message that those who flagrantly abuse the insurance system and take advantage of health care providers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
Mr. Bronson was insured by United Healthcare Insurance Company of New York (United) in connection with the New York State Health Insurance Program. As a result of Mr. Bronson’s frequent hospital visits, United issued checks to Mr. Bronson’s wife totaling approximately $201,335, which were then deposited into various bank accounts controlled by Mr. Bronson. The checks from United were for the portions of the various medical bills that United agreed to pay relating to Mr. Bronson’s frequent hospital visits. It was the responsibility of Mr. Bronson to remit the total payment to the health care provider. However, Mr. Bronson admitted that he kept the funds provided by United and failed to pay any of the bills relating to his hospital treatment.
“Over an extended period of time, my investigation found this individual collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state health insurance plan for emergency room care, and rather than pay the health providers as he was required to do, he kept the money for himself,” said Inspector General Scott.“I am pleased that our investigation has resulted in meaningful accountability for his misdeeds.”
The investigation was handled by Investigator Dennis Tomasone. The Attorney General’s Investigations Bureau is led by Deputy Bureau Chief Antoine Karam and Bureau Chief Dominick Zarrella.
The case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Andrew L. Weinstein, of the Public Integrity Bureau, with the assistance of Legal Support Analyst Morgan McCollum. The Public Integrity Bureau is led by Deputy Bureau Chief Stacy Aronowitz and Bureau Chief Daniel Cort. Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.
The joint investigation was conducted with the New York State Inspector General’s Office and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.