Detective Recognized For Cracking Abington Fraud Case

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — The Abington Township Police Department is honoring a detective who helped track down fraud involving billing irregularities at a local doctor's office.

On June 17, 2024, the office manager of that doctor's office visited Abington Police to report suspected billing irregularities allegedly committed by a staff member.

The office manager had discovered that patients were being double-billed, with payments misdirected to a business bearing a deceptively similar name to the doctor's practice. Further review revealed receipts listing the employee's personal cell phone number as the point of contact.

The office manager checked additional accounts and found multiple instances where patient payments had been rerouted in this same manner.

Detective Liz Cartwright immediately volunteered to take on the case.

"This investigation demanded extraordinary diligence, patience, and analytical skill," the police department said in awarding Cartwright a commendation. "Detective Cartwright spent countless hours poring over bank statements, billing documents, accounting software, casino records, and personal financial records. We also recognize the office manager’s careful attention in noticing that something was wrong, and we deeply appreciate their courage in coming forward to report the incident to our department."

Within the first few weeks of her investigation, Cartwright identified 36 clients who had been defrauded through the suspect employee's shell company, uncovering losses exceeding $270,000.

Recognizing that fraud likely extended back several years, Cartwright undertook the painstaking task of reviewing years of credit card transactions and billing receipts from the practice. She traced the flow of funds to a bank account controlled by the suspect, secured a search warrant for the records, and uncovered extensive gambling activity tied to the account.

Cartwright discovered the suspect had been using Intuit QuickBooks to manage the shell company and embezzle funds from patients. She collaborated with Pennsylvania State Police assigned to local casinos and verified that the suspect had a history of withdrawing substantial sums believed to be the proceeds of embezzlement.

In November 2024, Cartwright had gathered enough evidence to secure an arrest warrant. She persuaded the suspect to surrender voluntarily. Ultimately, her investigation revealed that the suspect had embezzled over $1.26 million from their employer and the patients of the doctor’s office, many of whom were elderly or in vulnerable health.