Moberly doctor accused of defrauding Medicare, Medicaid

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Moberly doctor admitted Tuesday in federal court to a scheme to steal from taxpayers by using his father's name to bill Medicaid and Medicare.

Dr. Justin G. LaMonda, 41, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of making false statements related to health care. LaMonda admitted that he and his father agreed to bill the government-funded health programs, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office. The two billed for services performed by LaMonda when those services had actually been performed by his father.

LaMonda's medical license was suspected in 2017 after accusations of having sex with his office manager and prescribing her drugs without examination, according to the release. The U.S. attorney's office also claims a Medicare contractor found that he submitted claims while he was suspended. His Medicare number was taken away in 2019.

LaMonda admitted in the plea that his scheme began as early as December 2018. The scheme was extended to Medicaid after LaMonda's Medicaid privileges were ended, according to the release.

LaMonda admitted to more than causing more than $500,000 in losses to the programs. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 26.