Georgia – A Marietta laboratory owner is facing both criminal and civil action after Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said his office uncovered alleged false genetic testing claims submitted to the Georgia Medicaid program.
Carr announced earlier this week that the Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division has filed a civil complaint and secured a criminal indictment against Maged Awad, 61, of Marietta. Both actions center on allegations that Awad was connected to genetic testing claims that were false or fraudulent.
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The civil complaint names Awad and K&S Clinical Diagnostics Consulting Services, LLC, the clinical laboratory he operated. According to the complaint, the defendants allegedly submitted false claims to Georgia Medicaid from May 2020 through at least June 2024.
State officials allege the genetic screening tests did not have legitimate physician orders. In many cases, the complaint says, patients listed in the claims had not even provided DNA samples for testing.
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The complaint was brought under the Georgia False Medicaid Claims Act.
“This is just one step in our ongoing efforts to fight fraud that exploits patients and the Medicaid program at large,” said Carr.
“We won’t hesitate to take both civil and criminal action to ensure that taxpayer dollars are appropriately safeguarded and only serve the legitimate needs of our citizens. Those who seek to cheat the system will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
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The criminal indictment, returned in Cobb County, alleges that Awad caused more than $300,000 in Georgia Medicaid payments through genetic testing claims that falsely listed certain medical professionals as having ordered tests they never requested. Awad is charged with three counts of Medicaid Fraud.
Carr’s office described the case as part of a broader effort to confront fraud, waste and abuse tied to genetic testing schemes. Such cases, officials say, can drain public health programs and place patients’ information at the center of claims they may not have authorized or even known about.
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Since Carr first took office, the Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division has secured more than 100 convictions related to Medicaid fraud and the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults. Those criminal matters have resulted in nearly $26 million in restitution orders. The division has also obtained more than $138 million through civil settlements and judgments aimed at protecting the Georgia Medicaid program.
Officials noted that the indictment and complaint contain allegations only. Awad is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, and prosecutors carry the burden of proof at trial. There has also been no finding or admission of liability connected to the civil allegations.
