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Columbus Doctor, Clinic Manager Plead Guilty in $1.6M Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Read the full articleDr. Patrick Muffley and office manager Lisa Fillhart pleaded guilty to a $1.64 million Medicaid scheme after billing for 27,000 fake telehealth visits at Embody Wellness. Fillhart received 12 months community control, while Muffley must pay full restitution before his Jan. 14 sentencing.
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A Columbus doctor and his clinic's office manager have pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme that defrauded Medicaid of more than $1.6 million, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced Thursday.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus doctor and his clinic’s office manager have pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme that defrauded Medicaid of more than $1.6 million, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced today.
Dr. Patrick Muffley, 56, of Lewis Center, and office manager Lisa Fillhart, 61, of Lima, entered guilty pleas on Oct. 19 in Franklin County, where Muffley pleaded guilty to felony theft and Medicaid fraud and Fillhart pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud and unlicensed practice of nursing.
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Dr. Patrick Muffley, 56, of Lewis Center, pleaded guilty on Oct. 19 to felony theft and Medicaid fraud charges in a bill of information in Franklin County. In a separate bill of information, Lisa Fillhart, 61, of Lima, pleaded guilty on the same day to Medicaid fraud and unlicensed practice of nursing.
The fraudulent billing was tied to Muffley's Columbus clinic, Embody Wellness Obstetrics and Gynecology at 5957 Cleveland Ave., which primarily provided addiction-management services.
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Unit investigators uncovered widespread fraudulent billing activity tied to Muffley’s Columbus clinic, Embody Wellness Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5957 Cleveland Ave. The clinic primarily provided addiction-management services.
Attorneys with the attorney general's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit handled the case in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
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Attorneys with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are prosecuting the case in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
State investigators launched the inquiry following a referral from state auditors.
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The attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the pair following a referral from the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office.
From January 2021 through March 2026, the pair submitted more than 27,000 fraudulent claims for telehealth services that were never provided, leading to a $1,645,052 loss to Medicaid.
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The investigation found that Muffley and Fillhart submitted more than 27,000 fraudulent Medicaid claims for telehealth services that weren’t provided, many of them on dates that Muffley never logged into the telehealth portal. Muffley falsified appointment records to substantiate the claims. From January 2021 through March 2026, the fraudulent billing led to a $1,645,052 loss to Medicaid.
Investigators found that Muffley falsified appointment records and billed for dates when he never logged into the telehealth portal.
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The investigation found that Muffley and Fillhart submitted more than 27,000 fraudulent Medicaid claims for telehealth services that weren’t provided, many of them on dates that Muffley never logged into the telehealth portal. Muffley falsified appointment records to substantiate the claims.
Fillhart also misrepresented herself as a nurse and provided medical advice despite not being licensed to practice nursing.
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Investigators also found that Fillhart misrepresented herself as a nurse and provided medical advice despite not being licensed to practice nursing.
Fillhart was sentenced on Oct. 19 to 12 months of community control, with a potential 18-month prison sentence if she violates its terms.
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She was sentenced on Oct. 19 to 12 months of community control, with a potential 18-month prison sentence if she violates its terms.
On Oct. 20, Fillhart submitted her resignation as trustee citing health-related reasons.
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On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Ms. Fillhart submitted her resignation from the Bath Township Board of Trustees citing health-related reasons.
The Bath Township Fiscal Office emphasized in a statement that the criminal charges stemmed entirely from her outside private employment and bear no connection to township operations, records, or funds.
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The Bath Township Fiscal Office emphasizes that these criminal charges and guilty pleas stem entirely from Ms. Fillhart’s outside private employment and bear no connection whatsoever to Bath Township operations, public records, or public funds.
Muffley agreed to pay restitution before his sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 14.
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Muffley has agreed to pay restitution before his sentencing, scheduled for Jan. 14.
The Ohio Department of Medicaid suspended his provider agreement in September, and a notice on the clinic's website states the practice will close in the coming weeks.
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The Ohio Department of Medicaid suspended his provider agreement in September. A notice on the clinic’s website says the practice will close in the coming weeks.