The owner of a Seattle-based medical supply company was found guilty on 119 counts!

The Washington State Attorney General's office said Monday Michael Mann, owner of Wheelchairs Plus Inc. has been convicted on all counts of supplying used or refurbished wheelchairs to elderly patients.

According to AG Bob Ferguson:

"Michael Mann, the Seattle-based owner of Wheelchairs Plus, Inc., pleaded guilty as charged to one count of Theft in the First Degree and two counts of Medicaid False Statement. He billed the state Medicaid program for delivering new wheelchairs to Medicaid clients when in fact the wheelchairs were used or refurbished..."

Not only will he be facing up to 9 months in custody, but a separate civil suit is being pursued to recoup the over $600,000 in fraudulent payments he received from Medicaid and the state as the difference between new and used wheelchairs.  The chairs went to a variety of clients scattered across the state.

According to officials,  the AG's office began to investigate after a number of complaints were filed over the wheelchairs having mechanical and other issues.   The investigation led to information that Mann was giving patients old, used units, or ones that had worn out parts replaced, but were not new - as promised.

 

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