Health Care Fraud lawyer Fairfax County, VA

A federal health care fraud investigation or indictment in Fairfax County implicates the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of Virginia, a jurisdiction known for its efficient docket and experienced federal prosecutors. Charges under
18 U.S.C. § 1347 arise from allegations of defrauding any health care benefit program—including Medicare, Medicaid, and private
insurers—and carry the potential for significant incarceration, fines, and professional exclusion. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel
team bring years of federal trial experience to clients facing these matters. To request a consultation, contact
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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What Health Care Fraud Means in Fairfax County, VA

Federal health care fraud is prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, which makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully execute a
scheme to defraud any health care benefit program. The statute covers billing for services not rendered, upcoding, kickback
arrangements, and false certifications of medical necessity. Because the federal government funds a substantial portion of health
care delivery in Northern Virginia—through Medicare, TRICARE, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program—investigations
frequently originate with agencies such as the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General,
or the IRS Criminal Investigation division.

Fairfax County lies within the Eastern District of Virginia, where health care fraud cases are typically presented to a federal
grand jury for indictment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the EDVA prosecutes these matters, often pairing fraud charges with
money laundering, false statements, and conspiracy counts. The federal sentencing guidelines applicable in the EDVA rely on
the amount of loss and the defendant’s role, and because there is no parole in the federal system, any term of imprisonment
is served almost in full. Early intervention by counsel—before an indictment is returned—can materially influence whether the
government files charges at all.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Health Care Fraud Cases

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach federal health care fraud defense from the outset of an investigation. When a client learns
of a subpoena, a search warrant, or a target letter, the team immediately works to preserve evidence, shield the client from
inadvertent self-incrimination, and engage with the prosecution to explore declination or a pre-indictment resolution. Because
federal health care fraud allegations often rest on voluminous billing data and medical records, the defense scrutinizes the
government’s loss calculation, the reliability of coding analysis, and the credibility of any cooperating witnesses.

If charges are filed, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel file appropriate pretrial motions, challenge the admissibility of electronic
evidence obtained through overbroad warrants, and prepare for trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Throughout the process, the team’s familiarity with the federal sentencing guidelines allows for the development of mitigation
evidence—detailing the client’s personal history, acceptance of responsibility, and any restitution efforts—that can substantially
reduce the advisory sentencing range. Every case is prepared as though it will go to trial, a posture that often strengthens the
defense’s position during plea negotiations.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., established the firm in 1997 after serving as a prosecutor. His
understanding of how the government constructs federal fraud cases stems from years of courtroom experience. Mr. Sris testified
before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted
in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to health care fraud defense. The firm’s Of Counsel
attorneys—each with significant federal criminal practice—collaborate on document-intensive discovery, sentencing memorandum
preparation, and trial strategy. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have handled matters across multiple practice areas since 1997.
Results may vary. To discuss your case, call (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is federal health care fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347?

Federal health care fraud is the knowing and willful execution of a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program,
including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, the offense covers a broad range
of conduct—billing for services never provided, falsifying patient diagnoses to justify unnecessary procedures, paying illegal
kickbacks for referrals, and concealing ownership interests in entities that bill federal programs. Because the statute reaches
both public and private benefit programs, its scope is expansive, and federal prosecutors frequently pair it with mail fraud,
wire fraud, and conspiracy counts when building an indictment.

What are the potential penalties for health care fraud in Virginia?

A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, and if the fraud results in
death, the maximum becomes life imprisonment. In addition to incarceration, courts routinely impose significant fines and may enter restitution orders requiring repayment of the loss amount. Sentencing in the Eastern District of Virginia follows the Federal Sentencing
Guidelines, which calculate an advisory range based primarily on the amount of loss and the defendant’s role in the offense.
A person convicted of health care fraud also faces exclusion from federal health care programs and potential loss of a
professional license.

Do I need a lawyer if I am under investigation for health care fraud in Fairfax County?

Yes—retaining experienced federal defense counsel at the earliest stage of an investigation is critical, because
decisions made before an indictment can shape the entire case. Federal agents and prosecutors often contact targets through
subpoenas, interviews, or search warrants long before charges are filed. An attorney can assess the scope of the investigation,
advise on whether to cooperate or decline to speak with agents, and begin developing exculpatory evidence while the government is
still gathering information. Early representation also opens the door to pre-indictment negotiations that may result in a
declination or a charge that carries a lower sentencing exposure.

What should I do if federal agents contact me about a health care fraud matter?

Politely decline to answer questions without an attorney present, and immediately contact a defense lawyer who
practices in federal court. You are under no obligation to speak with agents during a voluntary interview, and anything
you say can be used against you. Do not attempt to explain the billing records or correct what you perceive as a misunderstanding;
it is the agent’s job to build a case, and casual statements are often later characterized as admissions. Preserve all relevant
documents—emails, billing reports, patient files—and provide them to your attorney rather than directly to the government.
Prompt legal guidance is essential to protect your rights under the Fifth Amendment.

How does a defense attorney challenge health care fraud charges?

A defense attorney challenges health care fraud charges by scrutinizing the government’s loss calculation, the
reliability of coding and billing evidence, and the credibility of cooperating witnesses. Because federal health care
fraud charges are built on voluminous business records, the defense often engages forensic accountants and coding attorneys to
determine whether the billing discrepancies are attributable to mistake rather than fraud. Effective cross-examination of
prosecution witnesses can expose gaps in the government’s proof of intent. Additionally, pretrial motions may challenge the
scope of a search warrant or the constitutionality of evidence obtained during an administrative audit that was later converted
to a criminal investigation.

How does a federal criminal case proceed in the Eastern District of Virginia?

A federal criminal case in the EDVA begins with an investigation and, for felony charges, a grand jury indictment;
it proceeds through arraignment, pretrial motions, trial, and—if the defendant is convicted—sentencing under the United States
Sentencing Guidelines. After an arrest or summons, the defendant appears before a federal magistrate judge for an initial
appearance and a detention hearing. Discovery is governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Speedy Trial Act
generally requires trial within 70 days of indictment, though the parties frequently agree to excludable delays. The trial takes
place before a district judge in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, or Newport News, and if the defendant is found guilty, sentencing
follows a guideline calculation that considers offense-level adjustments and criminal history.

Official primary sources:
18 U.S.C. § 1347 (Cornell LII) ·
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ·
U.S. Attorney’s Office — EDVA

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary.

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. | (888) 437-7747 | Our Fairfax Location serves clients throughout Fairfax County.
Consultation by appointment.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.