Jersey Shore chiropractor charged with health care fraud, drug possession
Image courtesy of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
An undercover operation into health care fraud concluded this week with the arrest of a Jersey Shore chiropractor, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Senior Supervisory Special Agent James DiOrio of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced.
Carlo Amato, 55, of Beachwood has been charged with four counts of health care claims fraud and possession of fentanyl.
He’s currently lodged at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $200,000 bail with no 10 percent option.
The investigation began in early fall 2015, concluding with the execution of a search warrant on Wednesday of Amato’s residence, chiropractic office, 2017 Audi Q7, and 2014 Porsche Panamera.
Amato profited from false health care claims, Coronato alleges, adding that “ill gained profits are passed along in the form of higher premium payments to everyone in order to cover insurance company losses.”
“This investigation and subsequent arrest should signal to all health care practitioners that our office takes these matters seriously,” he added.
According to the release, Amato is not permitted to practice chiropractic medicine due to possessing fentanyl and must surrender his passport if he makes bail. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is also seeking forfeiture of all assets obtained as a result of the alleged crimes.
An investigation is ongoing.
Any patients of Amato that believe they were over billed are asked to contact Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Det. LaRaia at 732-929-2027.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
