Dr. Marion Lee, a 62-year-old physician from Cordele, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with a Medicare billing scheme involving medically unnecessary genetic testing. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Court documents state that Dr. Lee was co-owner and medical advisor of Luminus Diagnostics, a diagnostic laboratory based in Tifton, Georgia. According to the documents, he conspired with others to obtain orders for genetic tests in exchange for kickbacks. Some of these orders were acquired through telemedicine services. To facilitate fraudulent claims, Dr. Lee and his associates created order forms that included prepopulated diagnosis codes and check-the-box panels designed to make them easy to complete incorrectly or fraudulently.
The fraudulent tests were often billed through another laboratory located in the Eastern District of Louisiana because co-conspirators believed claims would be more likely approved there. The group concealed their activities using sham contracts and other deceptive practices.
Dr. Lee and his co-conspirators submitted over $24 million in false claims to Medicare for genetic testing services; Medicare paid out approximately $4 million as a result of these submissions. As part of his plea agreement, Dr. Lee agreed to pay restitution exceeding $4 million back to Medicare.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 18, 2026 before Judge Lance M. Africk. At sentencing, Dr. Lee faces up to five years in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the investigative work done by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this case. “Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses, of the Financial Crimes Unit and Health Care Fraud Coordinator, and Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters, of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, are in charge of the prosecution.”
