Longtime counselor sentenced for health care fraud

An Oklahoma City federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a longtime counselor to five years’ probation and eight weekends in jail for submitting more than $180,000 in fraudulent claims to Medicaid.

John Clarence Bradley, 49, of Oklahoma City, submitted the claims for reimbursement for behavioral health counseling sessions he provided to his niece and nephews.

That’s a violation of state regulations that prohibit licensed professional counselors from providing therapeutic services to family members.

U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton noted Bradley also overbilled for services he either provided or claimed to have provided to the family members.

“As mistakes go, this was a doozy,” the judge told Bradley.

During the sentencing, Bradley apologized for the choices he made.

“I wish I could go back,” he told the judge. “I apologize and I’m committed to making restitution . ... I hold myself accountable.”

Bradley pleaded guilty in March to health care fraud. The total loss to Medicaid was $182,732.

Bradley has already paid $46,000 in restitution, mostly from his retirement account, defense attorney Gary Wood said.

“I’ve never had a client more remorseful,” the defense attorney said. “His goal has always been to make restitution as soon as possible.”

The judge ordered Bradley to pay the remaining restitution, $136,732.

The judge decided not to give Bradley federal prison time, noting he was remorseful and has no criminal history.

The offenses occurred from October 2013 to July 2017. Bradley was indicted in December.

“It was the purpose of the scheme ... for Bradley to unlawfully enrich himself through the submission of false and fraudulent Medicaid claims,” grand jurors alleged.

Bradley submitted the claims through Primary Therapeutic Services, where he was the owner and a licensed professional counselor, according to the indictment.

Bradley has been counseling for 25 years, according to his attorney. He remains an active licensed professional counselor, records show. He has no pending disciplinary actions, according to the State Board of Behavioral Health.

On plea paperwork, Bradley stated he is selfemployed at Higher Purpose Counseling Center in Oklahoma City.