Dr. John R. Manning of Ashland City, Tennessee, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison following his guilty plea in a case involving health care fraud. Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the sentencing.
Manning, a 64-year-old licensed medical doctor, was charged in July 2022 with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and eight counts of health care fraud. He pled guilty to the conspiracy charge in August 2023. During the plea, Manning admitted to working with multiple telemedicine companies to illegally sign doctor orders and prescriptions for durable medical equipment, topical creams, and cancer genetic tests. These actions were conducted without adequate patient interaction and in exchange for kickbacks and bribes.
From June 2016 through April 2019, Manning's activities resulted in the submission of at least $41 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, which paid over $19 million. Manning received over $812,000 in kickbacks.
"This doctor ignored his oath to help people and bilked the taxpayers out of almost $20 million," stated Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney. McGuire emphasized the necessity for accountability and justice for taxpayer losses.
Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, highlighted the importance of compliance with laws protecting the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid. Blackmon assured continuous efforts to hold providers accountable.
Joseph E. Carrico, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Nashville Field Office, noted that health care fraud impacts everyone by increasing costs. The FBI, along with its partners, remains committed to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who exploit the system for personal gain.
In addition to his prison sentence, Manning was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $19,780,565.44 to the Medicare program. He must also pay a criminal forfeiture in the form of a money judgment of $812,303.41.
The case involved investigation by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services-Office of Inspector General and the FBI's Nashville Field Office, with assistance from the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Levine and Trial Attorney Kathryn Furtado of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
