U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Dennis Michael Peyroux, a 57-year-old chiropractor from Slidell, Louisiana, has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. The plea was entered on January 8, 2025, in connection with a scheme involving the billing of Medicare for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits that were not requested or eligible for reimbursement.
Court documents reveal that starting in November 2022, Peyroux conspired with others to acquire Medicare beneficiary information. This included names and Medicare identification numbers, along with fabricated recordings of individuals posing as beneficiaries requesting the test kits. Peyroux used this information to bill Medicare through his chiropractic clinic.
Peyroux also misused the credentials of a former nurse practitioner who had worked for him by falsely listing them as the referring provider on numerous fraudulent claims. Over approximately six months, Peyroux billed Medicare around $3.3 million in false claims for these test kits and received about $3.2 million in reimbursements.
As part of his plea agreement, Peyroux agreed to pay over $3.2 million in restitution to Medicare. Additionally, the government forfeited over $1 million seized from his bank accounts. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2025, before Judge Lance M. Africk.
At sentencing, Peyroux faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment followed by up to three years of supervised release. He could also be fined up to $250,000 or an amount equal to twice the gross gain or loss related to the offense under federal law. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100 is also applicable.
U.S. Attorney Evans commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation's efforts in investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses and Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters are leading the prosecution.
