A federal grand jury has handed up indictments accusing former executives and two others of taking part in a series of schemes to defraud the Sharon-based non-profit Primary Health Network out of more than $2,000,000 through sham contracts, inflated bids, and kickbacks.
The 17-count indictment issued in Pittsburgh names former Primary Health Network CEO and CFO, 55-year-old Drew Pierce of West Middlesex; former PHN facilities director, 56-year-old Mark Marriott of Sharpsville; another former PHN CEO, 70-year-old John Laeng of West Middlesex, as well as two Masury, Ohio men, 60-year old John O’Brien, and 58-year-old Christopher O’Brien.
The Primary Health Network, a private, non-profit organization that works with local communities to develop and implement a Community Health Center, boasts more than 150 physicians, dentists, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and other health professionals, serving tens of thousands of patients in Pennsylvania.
According to the Indictment, the alleged fraud took place from 2011 through 2019 using among other entities, Topcoat Plus, a company described by investigators as a “purported” management firm owned by Marriott, Pierce, and Laeng.
Source: Former Primary Health Network execs accused in $2M fraud scheme / WFMJ