Ex-William Beaumont Army Medical Center doctor, his wife, others charged in $7.3 million health care fraud

A husband-wife doctor couple are charged in a federal 65-count health care fraud indictment.

Dr. Richard Craig Rooney, a former Army lieutenant colonel, used to work at William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

His wife, Dr. Angie Song, is an ear, nose and throat specialist and cosmetic surgeon.

They’re accused of accepting gifts, including cash and guns, to steer business to a surgical implant company for procedures performed at Beaumont and another hospital at Fort Hood.

The FBI searched their El Paso home on May 27, 2010.

Also indicted:

44 year-old Julia Lynn Eller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allure Spine, LLC (Allure) in Charlotte, North Carolina
71-year-old Charlie Takhyun Song of Grapeview, WA, father of Angie Unchi Song and independent sales representative Spondylos Consulting, LLC (Spondylos), a company owned by Angie Unchi Song
Allure Spine, LLC, a company owned by Julia Eller.

Rooney, Angie Song, Eller, Charlie Song, Spondylos and Allure are all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit illegal remuneration in regard to Federal Health Care programs; two counts of aiding and abetting illegal remuneration in regard to Federal Health Care programs; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud
and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Rooney, Angie Song, Eller and the two companies are charged in 39 substantive counts of wire fraud.

Also, Rooney, Eller and Allure are charged with 17 substantive money laundering counts; and Angie Song, Charlie Song and Spondylos, with one substantive
money laundering count.

In addition, the indictment also charges Rooney and Eller with two counts each of making material false statements to federal authorities.

Details of Indictment

The indictment alleges that between September 2002 and August 2010, the defendants participated in an illegal scheme whereby Eller funneled money and other things of value, including firearms, to Rooney, Angie Song and Charlie Song so that Rooney would request the use of Allure Spine surgical implant devices and other medical related equipment in surgeries he performed at WBAMC and at Darnall Army Medical Center at Ft. Hood, TX (DAMC).

The indictment also includes a notice of criminal forfeiture and the government is seeking proceeds derived from the alleged fraudulent scheme as well as funds totaling more than $4.25 million seized from financial institutions and two residential real estate properties located in the State of Washington.

“Today’s indictment demonstrates that the FBI and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office; U.S. Department of Defense, Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit; and, the U.S. Postal Inspector Service are committed to thoroughly investigate Health Care Fraud in our community, including Ft. Bliss, whenever health care professionals engage in activity to defraud our health care system for the sole purpose of self-enrichment,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist.

Sentences Faced

Upon conviction: conspiracy to commit illegal remuneration carries a penalty of up to five years in federal prison; aiding and abetting illegal remuneration in regard to Federal Health Care Programs carries a penalty of up to five years in federal prison; conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering carry a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison; conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud carry penalties up to 20 years in federal prison; and false statement to federal authorities carries a penalty of up to five years in federal prison.