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News - NEWS - MASSAGE THERAPIST GETS PRISON TIME FOR FRAUD
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Source: The Houston Chronicle
Date Added: 06/07/2010

Massage therapist gets prison time for fraud

© 2010 The Associated Press

July 2, 2010, 3:01PM

LUBBOCK, Texas — A Lubbock massage therapist has been sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison and fined $1.6 million for healthcare fraud.

Kawai Ary-Berry was sentenced Friday, three months after she was convicted of nine counts of healthcare fraud and one count of making a false statement.

Prosecutors say for about four years, the licensed massage therapist billed the worker's compensation program for physical therapy she didn't do.

They said she also billed the program for two patients after they stopped treatment and used false codes when billing for hots tubs and a sauna treatment she gave to some patients.

U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks says authorities began investigating Ary-Berry in 2008 after a tip that her claims seemed excessive.

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