Christine Rahl Sentenced For Health Care Fraud And Money Laundering

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Christine Rahl, 46, a resident of Social Circle, Georgia, was sentenced July 31, 2013 before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, United States District Judge in Macon, Georgia, to fifty-seven (57) months imprisonment, to be followed by three (3) years supervised release, and a $500.00 mandatory assessment.  Additionally, Judge Royal ordered Ms. Rahl to pay $1,586.847.14 in restitution.

Ms. Rahl entered a plea of guilty on May 9, 2012, to a multi-count Information charging her with one count of Embezzlement in Connection with Health Care and four counts of Money Laundering.

Ms. Rahl was an employee with Marmalade Health which operates Abbey Hospice in Social Circle, Georgia.  Ms. Rahl was in charge of payroll for Marmalade Health.  The payroll and expense information was electronically submitted to Paychex who would then make electronic deposits into the accounts of employees.  In order to receive extra pay, Ms. Rahl gave herself unauthorized raises and submitted false expenses for herself.  Ms. Rahl continued this activity during a five and a half year time period.  In her plea, she admitted that she illegally appropriated for her own use and benefit $1,586,847.14 from Marmalade Health.  The money she received was deposited into the Wells Fargo Bank, where she would then write checks and use credit cards to purchase items for her personal use.

“When Ms. Rahl committed health care fraud and embezzlement, she stole from a system designed to help those who are critically or terminally ill.  We will continue to use our investigative resources to vigorously prosecute individuals who defraud the health care system.  We will continue to use our resources and efforts to collect full restitution from Ms. Rahl, just as we put our efforts into making her accountable for her fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

“Ms. Rahl exploited her position as office manager of the Abbey Hospice for her own personal financial gain,” stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. "It is our hope that today's sentence will send a strong message, that embezzlement and avoiding your tax obligations can result in jail time and that the government will hold accountable those who commit these types of crimes."

The case was investigated by agents of the Human Health Service and Internal Revenue Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sharon Ratley.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney's Office at (478) 621-2602.