Current:Home > MarketsFormer West Virginia health official pleads guilty in COVID-19 payment investigation -WealthSync Hub
Former West Virginia health official pleads guilty in COVID-19 payment investigation
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:38:17
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former West Virginia state health official pleaded guilty Monday to lying about whether or not he verified vendor invoices from a company claiming to have conducted COVID-19 tests for the state.
In federal court Monday, Timothy Priddy admitted making a false statement to investigators in a case that had been set to go to trial Tuesday.
An indictment filed in October charged Priddy with lying to federal agents in August 2022 when he said he verified a vendor’s invoices for performing COVID-19 tests as part of a back-to-school program before approving them. Priddy knew his statements were false because he made no such verification efforts, according to prosecutors.
Priddy faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for May 9.
Priddy, who held various managerial positions with the state Bureau for Public Health’s Center for Threat Preparedness, left his job the day the indictment was announced.
Prosecutors said federal investigators were trying to determine whether one or more vendors providing COVID-19 tests and mitigation services to the state overbilled or otherwise received federal payments they shouldn’t have through the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
Prosecutors said the vendor involved in Priddy’s case reported the results of about 49,000 COVID-19 tests between October 2020 and March 2022 but submitted invoices reflecting the cost of about 518,000 test kits. The indictment did not name the vendor, but said the company was from out of state and provided test kits, laboratory analysis and held community testing events throughout West Virginia.
Vendors were required to report test results so officials would have accurate information about the number of COVID-19 infections and any geographical hot spots, the indictment said.
The West Virginia health department has said a contract with the company ended in October 2022 and that the agency cooperated fully with federal investigators.
veryGood! (915)
Related
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Largest fresh egg producer in U.S. finds bird flu in chickens at Texas and Michigan plants
- Worker burned in explosion at Wisconsin stadium settles lawsuit for $22 million, attorney says
- Jack Smith argues not a single Trump official has claimed he declared any records personal
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Caitlin Clark and Iowa fans drive demand, prices for Final Four tickets
- Judge refuses to delay Trump's hush money trial while Supreme Court weighs presidential immunity
- Horoscopes Today, April 2, 2024
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Solar eclipse cloud forecast means anxiety for totality tourists hoping for clear skies
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Lawsuit challenges $1 billion in federal funding to sustain California’s last nuclear power plant
- Why does the Facebook app look different? Meta rolling out new, fullscreen video player
- Elizabeth Hurley says she 'felt comfortable' filming sex scene directed by son Damian Hurley
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Sen. John Fetterman says I thought this could be the end of my career when he sought mental health treatment
- Lizzo says she's not leaving music industry, clarifies I QUIT statement
- As Biden Pushes For Clean Factories, a New ‘How-To’ Guide Offers a Path Forward
Recommendation
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
Alabama lottery, casino legislation heads to conference committee
'Reborn dolls' look just like real-life babies. Why people buy them may surprise you.
Kansas’ governor and GOP leaders have a deal on cuts after GOP drops ‘flat’ tax plan
The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
Makeup You Can Sleep in That Actually Improves Your Skin? Yes, That’s a Thing and It’s 45% Off
Can the eclipse impact your astrological sign? An astrologer weighs in
UConn men's team arrives in Phoenix after flight to Final Four delayed by plane issues