U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 1553
Jackson, Mississippi 39269

Contact: Deborah Madden
(601) 948-5000

For Immediate Release
June 30, 2006

FORMER MISSISSIPPI DOCTOR, CLINIC OWNER, ARRESTED ON HEALTH CARE FRAUD CHARGES

Houston Division FBI Agents and HHS-OIG Agents have arrested a former Mississippi doctor and the owner of a rehabilitation clinic on health care fraud and money laundering charges. JENNIFER YVONNE BERRY, M.D., age 33, was arrested in Bay City, Texas. Her husband, JOHNNIE LEE WINFIELD, age 53, was arrested at the couple's residence in Houston, Texas. The investigation by the Jackson Division of the FBI, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, resulted in a 28-count indictment against BERRY and WINFIELD.

"These indictments underscore the FBI's commitment to work with its federal partners to protect the health care system many Americans depend upon," said John. G. Raucci, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. "Aggressively pursuing cases like these will help protect the patients Medicare serves, as well as the taxpayers who fund it." Northern District United States Attorney Jim M. Greenlee, whose office is prosecuting the case, agreed, stating: "We will not tolerate abuse of our health system. We commend the FBI and HHS for their joint investigation of these important matters."

BERRY and WINFIELD operated REHABSOURCE, Incorporated, in Greenville, Mississippi, since at least 2003 . During the course of the scheme, BERRY and WINFIELD allegedly billed and were reimbursed $458,237 by Medicare for fictitious therapy evaluations and non-covered procedures.

Earlier this month, a federal grand jury, impaneled in the Northern District of Mississippi, returned indictments against the two, which charged them with conspiracy, health care fraud, false statements, money laundering and social security misuse.

If convicted, each count carries varying penalties, with the most severe being a potential 20 year sentence, a $550,000 fine, or both. WINFIELD was arrested for a similar indictment in the Southern District of Mississippi in May of 2005, involving his association with THE REHAB CENTER, INC., located in Canton, Mississippi.

BERRY and WINFIELD are scheduled for an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in Texas.

To report suspected health care fraud, log on to the FBI's website at www.fbi.gov and submit a tip, or call your local FBI office. You may also contact the HHS-OIG hotline, 1-800-447-8477, or send an email to HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov.

Mr. Raucci, Roderick L. Beverly, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Houston, Texas, and Mr. Greenlee stressed that the charges upon which the indictments of BERRY and WINFIELD are premised are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.