Score:   1
Docket Number:   ED-MI  2:18-cr-20203
Case Name:   United States of America v. Djordjevic et al
  Press Releases:
An indictment was unsealed today charging Rasko “Ron” Djordjevic and Milija “Mike” Perkovic with health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today. Chang is also charged with health care fraud.

Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Slater of the FBI’s Detroit Division; Special Agent in Charge James Vanderberg of the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, Chicago Regional Office; and Regional Director Joseph Rivers of the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefit Security Administration.

Charged in the indictment are Rasco Djordjevic, age 42, of Troy, Michigan, and Milija Perkovic, age 26, of Bloomfield, Michigan.

The indictment alleges that from November 2014 to date, Djordjevic was in charge of Sterling Hearing Care, Inc. and Sterling Hearing Center, Inc., (collectively “SHC), a hearing aid provider with approximately fifteen offices throughout southeast Michigan.  Milija Perkovic was one of several hearing aid salespersons working under Djordjevic’s direction.  It is alleged that Djordjevic, Perkovic and other unnamed individuals conspired to defraud both Blue Cross Blue Shield and American Health Benefits by submitting reimbursement claims for hearing aids and related services that were: (1) not provided, (2) provided by medically unnecessary; and (3) predicated on fraudulent claim submissions and fraudulent marketing practices.  The indictment specifically alleges how SHC would entice potential customers with offers of free hearing assessments (that were nevertheless billed to BCBS).  Once in the door, SHC’s hearing aid salespersons were then encouraged to “close the deal,” sometimes at the expense of medical necessity.  For instance, Djordjevic discouraged his salepersons from recommending that customers with wax buildup have the buildup removed before conducting a hearing evaluation.  The indictment alleges that Perkovic would show potential customers “fake xrays” and tell them that they revealed cochlea damage in the customer’s inner ear.  SHC salespersons, including Perkovic, were taught that after determining the extent of a potential customer’s insurance coverage and conducting a soft credit check, the sales price of a hearing aid should be based upon what the customer can afford, not on a set market price. 

The indictment also alleges that Djordjevic misused the identity of a specific Michigan audiologist in committing health care fraud by signing her name, and certifying all SHC claims submitted to American Hearing Benefits.  The indictment further charges that Perkovic misused the specific identity of a Michigan doctor in committing health care fraud by falsifying her signature on a medical clearance form required by BCBS.   

United States Attorney Schneider stated, “Our office has no tolerance for health care providers that deliberately mislead customers in order to sell a medical product or service and then bill insurance companies for services and products not delivered.  It is especially troublesome when a provider deals with elderly customers that may be particularly vulnerable to scams.”  Schneider urges anyone in the market for hearing aids – either for themselves or for a loved one -- to become well-educated consumers.  “Research potential providers and ask good questions,” Schneider reminds.  “Trust your instincts and never be afraid to seek a second opinion.”

"Taking advantage of innocent victims who seek medical services by allegedly stealing their identity is unethical and illegal,” said Timothy R. Slater, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the FBI. “Health care fraud negativity impacts relationships between patients and their doctors. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate health care fraud at all levels”. 

"An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations relating to labor racketeering affecting unions and employee benefit plans. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated James Vanderberg, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Citizens are encouraged to report information about Health Care Fraud activity to the Detroit FBI at 313-965-2323.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted of a health care fraud charge, the defendants face a maximum sentence of imprisonment of ten years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.  In addition to any sentence imposed for health care fraud, the defendants face a mandatory and consecutive two-year sentence if convicted of aggravated identity theft. 

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and DoL.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Engstrom.

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MiMaZdkYX3KgDB7OtD_PJG1O1lVkv-qz05VyixdHeU4
  Last Updated: 2023-10-14 21:48:43 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
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