Latest news with #MedicaidFraudAct
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Arkansas medical board chair facing Medicaid fraud charges arrested for public intoxication
Related Video: First hearing held for Dr. Brian Hyatt's civil lawsuit in August 2024. BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Dr. Brian Hyatt, a former Arkansas State Medical Board member accused of Medicaid fraud, has been arrested for public intoxication, according to court documents. Hyatt, 52, was booked into the Benton County Detention Center on June 5 by the Rogers Police Department and released on June 6. A preliminary report from RPD said that around 9 p.m., an officer working a concert at the Walmart AMP saw a car with its trunk open while driving through the parking lot of a nearby hotel. As the officer approached the vehicle, they saw a man, later identified as Hyatt, staggering towards the vehicle as the alarm was going off. The officer asked Hyatt if the vehicle belonged to him, and Hyatt responded yes. Orbeez gun leads to aggravated assault arrest in Siloam Springs The report said the officer could smell alcohol in Hyatt's breath and saw he had an alcohol band typically provided by the Walmart AMP. When asked about the band, Hyatt ripped it off and said he had not been drinking. Hyatt reportedly told the officer that he was not intoxicated and that he suffered from 'the Patrick Swayze kind' of cancer, referring to pancreatic cancer. The report also later noted that Hyatt had a small abrasion on the top of his head. The report said Hyatt told the officer that he had a room at the hotel, but the front desk clerk said he did not. Hyatt allegedly tried to purchase a room but could not find his ID. He was then escorted out of the hotel and placed in handcuffs. Hyatt is set to appear in court on July 29. Izard County sheriff gives update on escaped Arkansas inmate Hyatt is also facing two counts of violating the Medicaid Fraud Act. He was arrested on those charges in October 2023 and has pleaded not guilty. An affidavit filed in Pulaski County states that on April 1, 2022, the Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a complaint from a confidential informant who worked at the Behavioral Health Unit in Springdale. Hyatt, who served as director of the unit from February 2018 to May 2022, was accused of being present for only brief periods during scheduled workdays and having little to no contact with patients. Court records say an omnibus hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12, with the jury trial beginning on Oct. 20. Beyond his criminal case, Hyatt faces more than 200 civil lawsuits from former patients who claim they were falsely imprisoned under his care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brian Hyatt trial date delayed in Medicaid fraud case
Related Video: First hearing held for Dr. Brian Hyatt's civil lawsuit in August 2024. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A request to delay Dr. Brian Hyatt's Medicaid fraud trial in Pulaski County has been approved. This marks the second delay in Hyatt's trial, which was originally set for Sept. 17, 2024. The omnibus hearing is now scheduled for Sept. 12, with the jury trial on Oct. 20. Hyatt, 52, the former director of Northwest Medical Center's Behavioral Health unit and a former Arkansas State Medical Board member, faces two counts of violating the Medicaid Fraud Act. He was arrested in October 2023 and has pleaded not guilty. An affidavit filed in Pulaski County states that on April 1, 2022, the Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a complaint from a confidential informant who worked at the Behavioral Health Unit in Springdale. University of Arkansas among 60 universities under federal investigation over DEI practices Hyatt, who served as director of the unit from February 2018 to May 2022, was accused of being present for only brief periods during scheduled workdays and having little to no contact with patients. Court records initially scheduled an omnibus hearing for March 14, with the trial set for April 9-18. However, Hyatt's attorney filed a motion on Feb. 21 requesting a postponement, citing the complexity of the case and ongoing related matters. The filing noted that both legal teams agreed a delay was appropriate. Beyond his criminal case, Hyatt faces more than 200 civil lawsuits from former patients who claim they were falsely imprisoned under his care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brian Hyatt's attorney asks judge for new trial date in Medicaid fraud case
Related Video: First hearing held for Dr. Brian Hyatt's civil lawsuit in August 2024. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The attorney for Dr. Brian Hyatt is asking for the judge to issue a new trial date in his Medicaid fraud case in Pulaski County, according to court documents. Hyatt, 52, is the former director of the Northwest Medical Center's Behavioral Health unit and a former member of the Arkansas State Medical Board. He faces two counts of violating the Medicaid Fraud Act. He was arrested in October 2023 and has pleaded not guilty to those charges. An affidavit filed in Pulaski County says that on April 1, 2022, the Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a complaint from a confidential informant who worked in the Behavioral Health Unit at the Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. Hyatt was the director of the unit from February 2018 to May 2022. First hearing held for Dr. Brian Hyatt's civil lawsuit The informant advised that Hyatt was only present at the unit a short time on the days that he was scheduled to work and that he had little to no contact with patients. Court records show an omnibus hearing is scheduled for March 14, with the trial set to begin on April 9 and end on April 18. Hyatt's attorney filed a motion to continue on Feb. 21, asking for the judge to push back the hearing and trial date. The filing said legal counsels on both sides have agreed a continuance of the court dates would be appropriate. 'Ongoing related matters may have a bearing on the trial in this case. It is in the interest of judicial efficiency to continue this case so that the issues to be litigated at trial are as narrowed, and the duration as limited, as is reasonable and appropriate to properly litigate the case,' the filing said. Court ruling could lead to more lawsuits against former medical board chair Hyatt's attorney also said the case is 'complex' and requires more than average investigation and preparation. The filing said Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson agreed the continuance is necessary. If the delay is approved, it would be the second in the case. Hyatt's trial was delayed after originally being set for Sept. 17, 2024. In addition to his criminal case, Hyatt faces more than 200 civil lawsuits from former patients alleging they were falsely imprisoned by him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
