United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

SUSPENDED DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO HEALTH CARE FRAUD

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TADEUSZ SKOWRON, age 54, of 47 Avonwood Road #103, Avon, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today to an Indictment charging him with health care fraud. SKOWRON appeared before United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport and admitted his guilt.

According to statements made by the Government at this afternoon’s guilty plea proceeding, SKOWRON’s license to practice medicine was summarily suspended by the State of Connecticut on May 18, 2004. SKOWRON admitted during today’s proceeding that, after his license was suspended, he continued to treat Medicare patients and to bill the Medicare program for his services. SKOWRON admitted that he submitted claims to the Medicare program with the knowledge that he was not entitled to payment for services conducted while his license was suspended. SKOWRON’s medical practice had offices in Bridgeport and Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

Judge Hall set sentencing for SKOWRON for October 20, 2005, at which time SKOWRON faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. SKOWRON was released on bond at the conclusion of the guilty plea proceeding.

“Despite the fact that the State of Connecticut summarily suspended this defendant’s license, he continued to treat Medicare patients,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “This office will not hesitate to act swiftly to ensure the health and safety of Medicare patients in Connecticut, and to protect the Medicare Trust Fund from fraud.”

U.S. Attorney O’Connor praised the Connecticut Department of Public Health for promptly bringing the matter to the attention of law enforcement. “This is another example of the excellent cooperation among state and federal authorities in our effort to combat health care fraud in Connecticut,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor said.

The case was investigated by the Health Care Fraud Task Force, which is coordinated by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and addresses abuses of the health care system in Connecticut. Members of the Task Force who investigated this case include special agents from HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Office of Criminal Investigations of the Food and Drug Administration.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated that anyone with information concerning health care fraud is encouraged to contact the FBI Health Care Fraud hotline at (203) 785-9270.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Biran and David J. Sheldon.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov