An Alabama physician has admitted to participating in a $6 million telemedicine fraud scheme that involved unnecessary durable medical equipment and genetic testing. Tommie Robinson, 43, pleaded guilty on October 1, 2025, in federal court in Boston to one count of health care fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Robinson worked with telemedicine companies between December 2018 and March 2021 to sign off on medical documentation—including doctors’ orders—for durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic tests that were not medically necessary. The orders were generated from telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries.
Robinson typically did not contact or establish any medical relationship with these beneficiaries himself. DME suppliers and laboratories used the signed documents to submit claims to Medicare for reimbursement. The total value of these claims exceeded $6 million and was based on false documentation and improper financial incentives.
“The charge of health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater,” according to the statement from authorities. “Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.”
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Robert Coviello, Special Agent in Charge at Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge at Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge at United States Postal Inspection Service Boston Division; Kelly M. Lawson, Acting Regional Director at U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration Boston Regional Office; and Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge at Defense Criminal Investigation Service North East Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker from the Health Care Fraud Unit along with Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross from the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Units are prosecuting the case.
