Chiropractor Charged With Healthcare Fraud, Fentanyl Possession: Prosecutor

Toms River - A Beachwood chiropractor is in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $200,000 bail after he was charged with healthcare fraud and possession of fentanyl, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Carlo Amato, 55, was charged with four counts of health care claims fraud and possession of of a controlled dangerous substance after a search of his home, office and two luxury cars, Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

“Personal Injury Protection exists to serve as critical help for those suffering the effects of an auto accident, not as a means for people to profit from false health care claims," he said. "Ill-gained profits are passed along in the form of higher premium payments to everyone in order to cover insurance company losses. "

Amato's arrest came after an undercover investigation that being in the early fall of 2015. Authorities executed search warrants of his home, office, and 2017 Audi Q7 and 2014 Porsche Panamera automobiles on Dec. 7.

"This investigation and subsequent arrest should signal to all health care practitioners that our office takes these matters seriously, Coronato said.

Amato is lodged was housed in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $200,000 cash bail. He is not allowed to practice chiropractic medicine and must surrender is passport, the prosecutor said.

The investigation is continuing.

The criminal case will be prosecuted by Ocean County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Martin Anton. A Civil Forfeiture complaint and other legal documents were filed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office seeking all assets obtained as a result of the alleged illegal acts.

The investigation was conducted by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Detective John P. LaRaia, Jr and FBI Special Agent Christine Parr, with assistance from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, FBI Red Bank Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau Supervisory Special Agent Terri DiGiorgio and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.

If you were a patient of Dr. Amato and believe that your insurance carrier was overbilled for services he did not perform, please contact Detective LaRaia at 732-929-2027.

Image: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office