Home Economy Economic Activity Ex-CEO of recovery center sentenced to 8 years in prison

Ex-CEO of recovery center sentenced to 8 years in prison

By

PBN Staff

-

01/07/2025

MICHAEL BRIER, the former CEO of Recovery Connections Centers of America Inc., was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in prison for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and other health insurers out of millions of dollars. / COURTESY U.S. DISTRICT COURT

PROVIDENCE – The former CEO of a now defunct addiction treatment organization has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and other health insurers out of millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced Tuesday. Michael Brier, 61, of Newton, Mass., will be incarcerated for 98 months

Already a Subscriber? Log in

To Continue Reading This Article

Become a Providence Business News subscriber and get immediate access to all of our premier content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Critical RI business news and analysis updated daily.
1 year of print (26 issues).
Unlimited access to all subscriber only content on our website, on any device.
Free email alerts.
Annual Book of Lists Print Edition.
All special issues produced during subscription term.

Click Here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article

PBN Branded Content

Start 2025 Strong: Prioritize Your Health with Screenings and Healthy Habits

As we step into 2025, there’s no better time to make a commitment to your…

Learn More

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

PROVIDENCE – The former CEO of a now defunct addiction treatment organization has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and other health insurers out of millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced Tuesday. Michael Brier, 61, of Newton, Mass., will be incarcerated for 98 months followed by three years of supervised release and pay restitution in the amount of $3.5 million. At the government’s request, the court ordered Brier to forfeit approximately $1 million contained in various bank and investment accounts, his interest in a beachfront property in Caracol Beach, Panama, and two luxury vehicles. Last July, Brier pleaded guilty in federal court to a single charge of health care fraud conspiracy for his role in the scheme. Brier and his former company, Recovery Connections Centers of America Inc., admitted in federal court that they failed to provide patients with required treatment and counseling sessions while at the same time billing Medicare, Medicaid and other health care payors for 45-minute counseling sessions despite the sessions lasting much less than 45 minutes. Additionally, Brier and RCCA admitted that they caused a fraudulent application to be submitted to Medicare, which, among other things, misrepresented and concealed Brier’s business role, as well as failed to disclose Brier’s 2013 criminal conviction for federal tax crimes. Brier and Mi Ok Bruining, 62, a supervisory counselor for RCCA, were arrested last March by federal law enforcement officials and charged with heath care fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering and obstruction, and allegedly billing health insurers millions of dollars for personal gain instead of helping opioid addiction patients in need. In November 2023, Bruining admitted in federal court to her role in the scheme. RCCA was previously sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to one year probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3.5 million.