The Comptroller of Puerto Rico published the result of the investigation of a complaint about alleged irregularities related to the billing and collection for speech and language therapy services not provided to students, by a therapist from a company contracted by the Department.
The investigation reveals that a therapist subcontracted by the company contracted by the Department of Education from 2014 to 2016, to provide audiology, speech-language and therapy services among others, to special education students, billed $2,281 for 117 therapy sessions she did not provide. In addition, she submitted documents with false signatures and information in the Therapy Service Certifications, to justify their collection.
From the examination of the Certifications, seven mothers with children who were the therapist's patients did not recognize their signatures on the documents, and 18 Certifications contained irregularities in the signatures and incorrect descriptions of the services to six students.
Because of the therapist's actions, the crimes of aggravated misappropriation, fraud and forgery of documents, classified under Act 146-2012 of the Puerto Rico Penal Code, among others, may have been committed. In addition, the Department did not ensure that the company carried out effective supervision of the therapist and the services she provided.
This investigation was referred to the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Education and to the Department of Justice on December 20, 2019.
The Result of the Investigation dated November 30, 2020..
See the Investigation Report OALIL-I-21-01.
To view other published reports, visit our Audit Reports section.
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