PITTSBURGH - A New Jersey resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of health care fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on Oct. 12, named Dr. Vincent J. Gamuzza, 30, of Hazelet, New Jersey as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, Gamuzza, a doctor of optometry, operated multiple vision centers in Pennsylvania, including Western Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. Dr. Gamuzza submitted claims to Highmark, Inc. for medical services that were not rendered.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.