Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
A federal judge sentenced Hasan Jermel Pulliam, a 54-year-old Anniston resident, to 54 months in prison on April 2 for health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Pulliam was also ordered to pay $718,967.20 in restitution to the Alabama Medicaid Agency and will serve three years of supervised release after his imprisonment.
The sentencing comes as authorities seek to protect taxpayer-funded programs like Medicaid from fraudulent activities that divert resources away from those in need. Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson said, “Health care fraud diverts limited resources away from the patients and families who depend on programs like Medicaid. This sentence holds the defendant accountable for abusing his position of trust and sending false claims to obtain money he was not entitled to receive. Our office will continue to work closely with our federal and state partners to protect taxpayer-funded health care programs from fraud and abuse.”
According to court records, Pulliam worked as a child and family therapist who became an Alabama Medicaid provider in October 2018. He received referrals containing sensitive beneficiary information but later submitted fraudulent claims for counseling services that were never provided, using beneficiaries’ personal data without consent.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said, “This sentence reflects our commitment to protecting taxpayer resources and upholding the rule of law in Alabama. I commend our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their excellent work on this case, and I thank our federal partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office and HHS-OIG for their collaboration in holding Mr. Pulliam accountable for defrauding Alabama taxpayers of over $700,000. We will continue this collaborative effort to root out fraud and ensure justice is served.”
Kelly Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge at HHS-OIG, said: “Health care providers who fraudulently bill Medicaid for services not rendered and exploit personal information for their own gain will be held accountable.” The investigation began after questionable billing activity was identified by the Alabama Medicaid Agency’s Program Integrity Unit.
Pulliam pleaded guilty on October 25, 2025. The case was investigated by state and federal agencies including the Alabama Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) — which receives most of its funding through a grant from HHS-OIG — with prosecution by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil.
