Two healthcare executives plead guilty in multimillion dollar fraud conspiracy tied to COVID testing schemes
Allen, Texas – Two healthcare executives have admitted guilt in a federal fraud case involving multimillion-dollar schemes tied to COVID-19 testing and athletic training billing practices, according to an announcement from Jay R. Combs, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas.
Mouzon Bass III, 60, of Highland Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lance Wilson, 57, of Allen, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The guilty pleas were accepted this week by Aileen Goldman Durrett, U.S. Magistrate Judge.
Fraud Schemes Involving Healthcare Billing and COVID-19 Testing
Court documents state that Bass, the sole owner and president of Vivature, a healthcare billing company, and Wilson, a senior executive at the firm, participated in conspiracies to defraud others through schemes connected to COVID-19 testing services and an athletic training billing operation.
Prosecutors said the schemes generated millions of dollars through fraudulent billing practices. While details continue to be examined, officials indicated the activities involved submitting claims and financial transactions designed to obtain funds under false pretenses.
Under federal law, each defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, along with potential fines and restitution. The statutory maximum is provided for informational purposes; final sentences will be determined by the court after review of advisory sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.
Sentencing hearings will be scheduled following the completion of presentence investigations conducted by the U.S. Probation Office.
Federal Agencies Led Investigation
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anand Varadarajan and Adrian Garcia are prosecuting the case.
Federal officials emphasized that healthcare fraud undermines public trust and diverts funds intended for legitimate medical services. The guilty pleas mark a significant step in holding those responsible accountable while reinforcing efforts to protect healthcare systems from fraudulent activity.
The investigation remains part of broader federal efforts to combat fraud schemes that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and within healthcare billing systems nationwide.
