• About John Howley
JOHN HOWLEY, ESQ.
  • About John Howley

Healthcare Fraud Lawyers

Call us at (212) 601-2728

But if I Hire a Lawyer, Won't the Investigator Think I'm Guilty?

11/20/2018

 
Clients come to us every day after they received a letter from the HRA Bureau of Fraud Investigation.  Most clients are worried.  No one has ever accused them of fraud before.  Most clients have never had to hire a lawyer before.

Many of our clients ask, "If I hire a lawyer, won't the investigator think I'm guilty?" or "If I hire a lawyer, won't the investigator think I have a lot of money?"

The simple answer is:  The investigator already believes you are guilty. 

By the time they send you a letter, the investigator has already obtained your payroll records, credit report, information about your bank balances, and other financial information.  They know exactly how much you pay for your rent or mortgage, whether you own a car or property, who lives with you, and whether anyone who lives with you has an income.

The investigator is asking you to come to an interview because they want to prove their case against you beyond a reasonable doubt.  They want you to admit what they already believe.  Anything you say to the investigator can and will be used against you.

If the HRA just needs some clarification on your eligibility, then you would not have received a letter from a Medicaid fraud investigator.  The HRA has a different group called the "Bureau of Eligibility Verification" that deals with clarifications.  You received a letter from the "Bureau of Fraud Investigation" because they think you are guilty of fraud.

If you meet with the investigators on your own, you will be subjected to an interrogation.  Two investigators will demand that you turn over your tax returns and other financial records.  If you refuse, they will assume that you have something to hide  If you comply, they will make copies of everything and then cross-examine you on every detail.

So many people lie to the investigators that they will not trust anything you say.  If you fail to convince them of your innocence, they will either demand that you pay back tens of thousands of dollars in benefits or send your case to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution.

Hiring a lawyer to represent you sends a message to the investigators that you are taking their work seriously.  You actually gain credibility.  We have handled hundreds of cases before the Bureau of Fraud Investigation.  We are in their offices every week.  While they know that we will fight for our client's rights and argue every possible defense, they also know that we will not lie to them. 

The investigators also know that we charge reasonable fees.  In most cases, we save our clients more money than it costs for our fees.

Do not try to handle this on your own.  Call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.​

Picture

BREAKING NEWS

NY Prosecutors Get Tough on Medicaid Fraud
More investigations are resulting in criminal prosecutions, and more prosecutors are charging the most serious felonies.  This means a criminal record and possible jail time.  Click here to read more....


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    John Howley, Esq.

    Call to Schedule a Free Consultation
    ​(212) 601-2728
Get an Experienced Advocate On Your Side​
John Howley is available to consult with potential clients by telephone, video-conference, or in person.  All consultations are by appointment.  To schedule a consultation, call our offices today at (212) 601-2728.
Click to Call


​Follow John Howley, Esq.

Follow John Howley, Esq. on social media for the latest legal news and updates.



​John Howley, Esq. | 1345 6th Ave 2nd floor | New York, NY 10105 | (212) 601-2728
​
​Copyright (c) 2012-2023 by John Howley, Esq.  This web site is for educational purposes only,  It does not provide legal advice, nor does it solicit clients seeking legal advice or representation.  To the extent it may be considered attorney advertising, readers are cautioned that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
  • About John Howley