tease

tease

MediCenter indicted on 115 felony counts

MediCenter offices in Kenai were searched in July of 2019

The managers of MediCenter, which formerly operated a series of clinics on the Kenai Peninsula, were indicted Wednesday on 115 felony counts for fraudulent billing to Alaska Medicaid and to Aetna and Premera Insurance Companies.

A press release from the State Department of Law describes five co-defendants, Dr. Ray Lynn Carlson, Scott L. Carlson, Joseph Hurley, Charise Carlson, and Dr. Carlson’s corporation. Each of the co-defendants was indicted on 23 felony counts.

The charges describe “numerous” class B and C felonies, the release says. They include “scheme to defraud, medical assistance fraud, theft and fraudulent insurance acts.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Each of those felony charges can individually result in years spent in custody and fines of up to $100,000, the release says.

The indictment comes more than four years after MediCenter offices in Kenai were searched in July of 2019. According to Clarion reporting at the time, a “joint state and federal investigative team” executed search warrants issued by Anchorage District Court Judge David Wallace as well as a judge in Washington. Then-Chief Assistant Attorney General Jack McKenna said the focus of the investigation was “questioned billing practices” by MediCenter.

“This indictment is the result of a multi-year, multi-state and multi-agency investigation in the states of Alaska and Washington,” the Department of Law’s release reads.

Described in the release are collaborative efforts by the Alaska Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and a variety of federal and state agencies, including the Kenai Police Department and Alaska State Troopers.

Days after the search in July 2019, MediCenter wrote on Facebook that they were “fully cooperating with the investigation to ensure that the care we deliver meets or exceeds all medical, ethical and financial regulations.” MediCenter ceased operations on the Kenai Peninsula on Oct. 31, 2019.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof closes Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in