Mississippi couple pleads not guilty in $200M health fraud

Published 4:22 pm Wednesday, June 27, 2018

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi couple charged in a fraud case that prosecutors say took more than $200 million are pleading not guilty.

Hope and Randy Thomley of Hattiesburg entered pleas Tuesday to indictments accusing them of nearly two dozen counts including conspiracy, health care fraud and money laundering. Each faces up to 295 years in prison and more than $7 million in fines.

Prosecutors say the Thomleys and codefendant Glenn Beach Jr. of Sumrall bribed health care providers to prescribe handcrafted high-dollar medications from Advantage Pharmacy that were generally unnecessary.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

A pharmacist and marketer for Advantage pleaded guilty earlier.

The Thomleys were released on $250,000 bail apiece.

The government is trying to seize millions in cash, vehicles and real estate from the Thomleys.

The cases are set for trial Aug. 20.