On Friday, November 22, 2013, Kenneth Morris Wiggins, Jr. pleaded guilty to one felony count of Medicaid Fraud (O.G.G.A. § 49-4-146.1(b)) in Cobb County Superior Court. Wiggins was paid over $2,230,000 by Georgia Medicaid as a result of his fraudulent billing practices.

Wiggins is the owner and operator of Cosmetic and Family Dentistry of Roswell located in Fulton County and Cosmetic and Family Dentistry of Marietta located in Cobb County. Between January 1, 2007, and March 11, 2009, Wiggins was enrolled as a provider of services in the Georgia Medicaid Program’s Dental Services. Wiggins fraudulently billed Medicaid for tooth re-implantations and complicated suturing of wounds for 220 Medicaid patients, although he never performed the procedures on these patients.

After Wiggins was indicted in 2011, he fled to the Netherlands, and in February 2013, he was located in Belize. U.S. Marshals transported him from Belize to Miami where he waived extradition and was then transported to Cobb County. He has been held in Cobb County Jail without bond since returning to Cobb County.

“The defendant in this case thought he could escape the law by fleeing the country,” said Attorney General Olens. “Through the collaboration of my office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Community Health and the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to apprehend Dr. Wiggins and hold him accountable for his crimes. I commend the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and all of our partners for the successful prosecution of this case.”

Judge A. Gregory Poole sentenced Wiggins to seven years in prison, three years probation and restitution in the amount of $2,230,618.81.

Assistant Attorney General Robin E. Daitch prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The investigation was conducted by Investigator Bradley Newcomer, Investigative Auditor Denise Colson, Chief Analyst Carmen Staley and Nurse Investigator Darlene Herndon of the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Investigators Brent L. Crowder and Renee Sherwood of the Department of Community Health/Office of the Inspector General’s Program Integrity Section assisted with the investigation.