Federal prosecutors say the trio allegedly conspired to force Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama cover diabetes services provided by Trina Health LLC.
An Alabama state legislator, a lobbyist, and a healthcare executive have been charged in a bribery scheme that attempted to coerce Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama into covering diabetes services provided by a California-based clinic, the Department of Justice said.
The Alabama defendants are State Rep. Jack D. Williams, 60, and Martin J. "Marty" Connors, 61, the former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
The California defendant is G. Ford Gilbert, 70, the owner of Carmichael, California-based Trina Health LLC, which operates diabetes clinics in 10 states and India.
According to the indictment, Trina Health opened three clinics in Alabama in 2014 and 2015, but was told that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the state's largest health insurer, would not cover the treatments.
Prosecutors allege that Gilbert schemed to force Blue Cross to change its position. He pushed a bill through the Alabama Legislature’s 2016 session that would require Blue Cross to cover the treatments and he allegedly bribed Alabama House Majority Leader Micky Hammon to make it happen.
Gilbert also hired Connors to lobby the bill. Conners worked with Hammon to recruit Williams, the chairman of the Alabama House's Commerce and Small Business Committee, to hold a public hearing on the bill.
The federal indictment charges all three defendants with conspiracy to commit bribery related to federal programs, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and honest services wire fraud.
The indictment also alleges that Gilbert and Connors committed bribery related to federal programs.
Gilbert is charged with wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
The indictment does not include charges against Hammon because he is already in prison, having already been convicted in federal court of other offenses.
If convicted of the most serious offenses, Willams, Connors and Gilbert each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, fines, asset forfeiture, and restitution, DOJ said.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.