A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment Thursday against an Alva woman accused of allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from an Edmond doctor and a Woods County health care benefit program.
The 24-count indictment accuses Rita Ramy, 43, of Alva, of allegedly embezzling funds from two employers, Woods County Medicine and Pediatric Specialists, and Dr. David L. Graham, a dermatologist who operated clinics in Enid and in Edmond.
If convicted, Ramy faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, or both, and up to three years supervised release. Ramy was not in custody, according to court papers.
Robert Troester, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, said the court will set a trial date in the near future.
Ramy’s attorney, John Coyle III, said Ramy has denied the allegations, and he anticipates the legal issues will soon be resolved. Coyle said the three new counts involve Graham.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial, at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Counts 21-24 of the indictment involve Ramy’s employment with Graham’s dermatology clinic in Enid and his Silver Leaf Dermatology, 609 S. Kelly Avenue. Graham received payment for his services from Medicare and private insurance companies, according to court papers.
The Edmond clinic is Graham’s only active clinic, and his practice address is listed as being in Enid, according to information posted at the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision’s Web site.
Ramy is accused of allegedly embezzling funds from Graham by altering the amount of three checks to increase their value by $1,000.
The first check, written in December 2007, was in the amount of $1,304.00. The second, written in January 2008, was in the amount of $1,902.18. The third, written that same month, was in the amount of $1,304.00.
In count 24, Ramy allegedly altered the payee information on a check dated March 11, 2008, in the amount of $2,130.64, drawn on its account at The Northern Trust Company, which represented health care benefits for services rendered by Graham to one or more patients.
Counts 1-20 concern Ramy’s employment with Woods County Medicine and Pediatric Specialists, and 20 checks in amounts ranging from $470 to $2,000 written in 2004-05.
Doctors Scott and Christine Burk operated their practice under the name of Woods County Medicine and Pediatric Specialists, and were paid for their services by Medicare Part B, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
Edmond resident Vicki Behenna is the prosecutor assigned to the case.
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