Man Pleads Guilty in Multimillion-Dollar Genetic Testing Kickback Scheme

Tampa Resident Admits to Conspiracy in $4.6 Million Fraud Involving Patient DNA Samples

Jeffrey Tamulski, a 50-year-old resident of Tampa, Florida, has admitted his involvement in a significant kickback scheme, as announced by Attorney for the United States, Vikas Khanna. 

Tamulski's guilty plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court on March 26, 2024, acknowledging his role in a conspiracy that violated the Anti-Kickback Statute.

The case, initially brought to the court's attention in September 2019, involved Tamulski and five co-defendants in a complex scheme associated with healthcare fraud. Documents and statements in court detailed how Tamulski, representing certain laboratories, engaged in illicit activities to secure patient DNA samples and referrals for genetic testing. 

Through the company Ark Laboratory Network LLC, owned by Tamulski's accomplices, arrangements were made with laboratories to receive kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals. These illicit agreements were masked by sham invoices that purported to bill for services at an hourly rate, concealing the true nature of the bribes, which were contingent upon the revenue from Medicare or payments for each DNA sample referred.

From January 2018 through January 2019, Medicare disbursed approximately $4.6 million for genetic tests procured through these corrupt referrals, leading to at least $1.8 million in bribes paid to Ark by the laboratories. 

Tamulski's admission to these charges puts him at risk of a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or double the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is higher. His sentencing is set for August 6, 2024.

The investigation, which led to Tamulski's guilty plea and the uncovering of this expansive scheme, was supported by the diligent efforts of special agents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bernard J. Cooney of the National Security Unit and George L. Brandley of the Health Care Fraud Unit are representing the government in this case.

As this legal process unfolds, it is a stark reminder of the vigilance required to combat healthcare fraud and protect the integrity of patient care and medical research. 

While Tamulski awaits sentencing, the case against his co-defendants progresses, underscoring the ongoing efforts to uphold justice in the face of healthcare fraud.