(WWJ) More legal trouble for the owner of the Oxford Center in Troy and The Oxford Recovery Center in Brighton.
Tamela Peterson, 59, of Brighton was arraigned Tuesday on nine counts of health care fraud, according to the Michigan Attorney General's office.
Peterson, who was charged with second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after an explosion and fire at the Oxford Center in Troy killed Thomas Cooper, 5, last January, is awaiting a decision from a Troy District Court Judge on if she and three other employees will stand trial.
The new charges were filed after an investigation showed Peterson had knowledge of and was the direct beneficiary of fraudulent health care claim practices, including billing for services not rendered, according to the Attorney General’s office.
The investigation began in September 2022 after former providers and patients complained.
“Filing false claims impacts not only patients and providers, but also contributes to increased costs of healthcare and medical insurance for everybody,” said Nessel in a statement. “Health care fraud undermines the trust between patients and providers and patients’ notions of confidentiality and care."
Peterson was given a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. She is next due in court on January 27th for a probable cause conference in 53rd District Court.
Each charge is punishable by four-years in jail and/or a fine of $50,000.