Metro Atlanta dentist guilty in $1M Medicaid fraud

A metro Atlanta dentist has pleaded guilty to defrauding the Georgia Medicaid program of nearly $1 million.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Solarin, who had offices in Doraville and Duluth, had some employees of her Care Dental practice back-date claims for patients whose Medicaid eligibility had expired, U.S. Attorney John Horn said. Also, some claims listed Solarin as the treating dentist on days she was not in the country.

The false claims were submitted from 2009 to 2013, Horn said.

“I am proud of the collaborative efforts that led to this successful prosecution,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said. “The Georgia Department of Law stands ready to work with our federal and local partners to ensure that those who participate in criminal activity are brought to justice, particularly when that activity jeopardizes the medical care of those who are truly in need and wastes taxpayer dollars.”

Solarin used most of the $996,862.19 gained from the scheme to buy real estate in the Atlanta area, Horn said. As part of the plea deal, she has agreed to repay the money and will forfeit her interest in over a dozen real estate properties.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 3 on charges of conspiring to commit healthcare fraud.