BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of James Durkin, 39, owner of The Hope Center of Recovery, an opioid treatment facility located in Boynton Beach, Florida, for insurance fraud. Durkin was charged with two counts of organized scheme to defraud for allegedly submitting over $104,000 in fraudulent insurance billing.

 

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “As the opioid crisis continues to grip our nation, it’s unconscionable that anyone would use addiction treatment to make a quick buck. Insurance fraud at crooked addiction treatment centers fuels the ongoing opioid epidemic in Florida. Fraud like this takes away from the real work that legitimate opioid treatment homes are doing to help those who need it. Combating fraud at opioid treatment centers will remain one of my top priorities."

 

A joint investigation between CFO Patronis’ Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Sober Home Task Force of Palm Beach County (SHTF), and the Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD) revealed evidence that Durkin was falsifying billing information to Cigna and United Health Care for addiction recovery treatments. Treating physicians listed on billing documents were falsified in order to defraud the insurance companies into reimbursing the clinic for addiction treatment services that were never performed.

 

Durkin surrendered to insurance fraud detectives at the Palm Beach County Jail and faces up to 30 years in prison.

 

To report suspected fraud, call CFO Patronis’ Fraud Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 or repot online at MyFloridaCFO.com. People reporting fraud can remain anonymous.