Fast Lab COO, Hasan Seyhun, 45, pleads guilty in massive $500 m COVID-19 test billing fraud

A former chief operating officer of a United States laboratory company has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud over a nationwide COVID-19 testing scheme involving more than $500 million in false claims.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Hasan “Lucas” Seyhun, 45, of Miami, Florida, served as chief operating officer of New York-based Fast Lab Technologies, which offered “no cost” COVID-19 tests that customers could order online during the pandemic.

Prosecutors said Fast Lab used customers’ insurance information to bill government-backed healthcare programmes for services that were never provided. The company allegedly claimed antigen tests were observed by medical professionals, saliva samples were collected by medical personnel and PCR testing was conducted on those samples.

Seyhun admitted conspiring with Fast Lab CEO Cemhan “Jimmy” Biricik and medical director Dr. Martin Perlin to carry out the scheme.

Authorities said Seyhun orchestrated the submission of millions of dollars in fraudulent healthcare claims, resulting in at least $35 million in illicit payments.

Under his plea agreement, Seyhun accepted a forfeiture judgment of $4,313,153, representing money prosecutors said he personally received from the scheme.

Federal prosecutors said some claims were submitted for payment before COVID-19 test kits had even been delivered to customers.

The case was investigated by several agencies, including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Office of Personnel Management’s inspector general.

Federal officials said the scheme diverted healthcare funds and exploited programmes established during the pandemic.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Regina R. McCullough and Ryan A. Particka in Michigan’s Eastern District. Seyhun’s guilty plea marks another step in the federal government’s continuing effort to investigate and prosecute fraud involving pandemic-era healthcare programmes across the United States and hold those responsible accountable for their conduct.