United States of America v. Saffron Gustafson

Portland, OR - The United States of America charged Saffron Gustafson, ate 43, with fraud for defrauding six health insurance plans of approximately $1.3 million and for evading $99,000 in federal income taxes.



“Health care fraud affects all Americans because it increases the cost of health insurance and reduces the amount of money insurance plans have available to pay legitimate claims,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The investigation and prosecution of health care fraud is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department.”



“Ms. Gustafson exploited the insurance companies of vulnerable patients and then evaded payment of her significant tax liability,” said IRS–Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. “Tax evasion is a crime that impacts each and every American, which is why it is a top priority for IRS–Criminal Investigation special agents.”



According to court documents, between June 2013 and August 2017, Gustafson owned and operated Saffron’s Specialized Medical, a durable medical equipment company with retail stores in Portland, Springfield, and Salem, Oregon and in Vancouver, Washington. Gustafson’s stores supplied customized compression garments to patients with circulatory medical conditions.



To defraud health insurance plans, Gustafson submitted bills requesting payment amounts inflated by 600% or more. To support these false billings, Gustafson, and employees acting at her direction, fabricated invoices from her wholesaler. Gustafson and her employees destroyed the genuine wholesaler invoices so insurance companies could not review them during audits. The six victim insurance plans are Cambia (Regence), CHAMP VA, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, TRICARE, and Providence.



Gustafson also evaded $99,606 in income taxes she owed for 2015 by falsifying records and diverting profits from her company to pay various personal expenses, including paying off the mortgage on her parents’ rental property and paying her psychic.



On November 12, 2019, Gustafson pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging her with health care fraud and tax evasion.



This case was investigated by the FBI; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Amtrak Inspectors General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. It was prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.



18:1347 - HEALTH CARE FRAUD

(1)

18:1347 - Health Care Fraud

(1s)

26:7201 - Tax Evasion

(2s)

09/02/2020 31 MINUTES OF SENTENCING HEARING before Judge Michael H. Simon as to Defendant Saffron Gustafson. As to Count 1, the Defendant is sentenced to the Bureau of Prisons for a period of 21 months. As to Count 2, the Defendant is sentenced to the Bureau of Prisons for a period of 21 months, to be served concurrently to the sentence imposed in Count 1. After release from imprisonment, the Defendant will serve a three year term of supervised release on both counts to be served concurrently with each other. Restitution is ordered in the amount of $1,480,665.78 as well as a $200 fee assessment. The Defendant shall self-surrender for service of her sentence on 10/15/2020. See Formal Judgment. Defendant advised of right to appeal. Counsel Present for Plaintiff: Seth D. Uram. Counsel Present for Defendant: Kevin M. Sali. (USPO Present: Theresa Fuchs and Megan McGrath) (Court Reporter Dennis Apodaca) (mja) (Entered: 09/02/2020)