A Texas counselor was convicted of stealing millions from a military health program by faking and pushing treatments veterans did not need, prosecutors say.
Story Highlights
- A federal jury convicted Kevin D. Curry in a $26 million scheme targeting the TRICARE program.
- Prosecutors said he billed for transcranial magnetic stimulation that was unnecessary or not provided.
- Evidence showed more than $5.5 million in illegal kickbacks to service members and families.
- The case fits a broader fraud pattern hitting federal health programs, including TRICARE.
Jury Verdict: Fraud, Kickbacks, and Illicit Transactions
A federal jury in Fort Worth found Kevin D. Curry, a 64-year-old licensed counselor from Frisco, Texas, guilty on nine counts tied to a plan that targeted TRICARE, the military health benefits program. The Department of Justice stated jurors convicted him of health care fraud, paying illegal kickbacks, and monetary transactions involving criminal proceeds. Prosecutors said the scheme centered on claims for transcranial magnetic stimulation, a depression treatment he billed as necessary but often did not provide.
Court records and trial evidence showed Curry owned and ran mental health clinics that submitted claims for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy to TRICARE. Prosecutors said many claims were for care that patients did not need or never received. The jury agreed that the fraud extended beyond billing, finding that Curry made illegal payments to induce patients to take part. Prosecutors described a flow of money designed to reward referrals and lock in repeat claims.
Kickbacks to Military Families and How the Scheme Worked
According to officials, Curry paid more than $5.5 million in kickbacks to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to drive business to his clinics. These payments, prosecutors said, helped fuel a stream of false or inflated bills to TRICARE for transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions. The government’s account said the operation used fake or misleading records to justify claims, while relying on incentives that are illegal under federal anti-kickback laws.
Local reporting echoed the trial narrative, noting jurors heard that patients were steered into treatments they did not need. In some cases, reporters said, patients did not receive the billed therapy at all. The trial evidence presented a consistent picture: claims for services not rendered, claims for services that lacked medical need, and claims tied to unlawful payments. That combination met the classic red flags for federal health program fraud.
Why This Case Matters for Taxpayers and Troops
This case strikes at a promise America makes to its troops and families. TRICARE exists to serve those who serve us. Every fake claim drains dollars from real care and pushes costs onto taxpayers. The Department of Defense’s own fraud report shows TRICARE must fight these schemes every year, with nearly $99 million in judgments and over $12 million in settlements in 2023. That official record shows the program is a regular target and stays on guard.
Enforcement leaders say health care fraud often follows a pattern. Bad actors bill for care not given, push care people do not need, or pay kickbacks to rig referrals. The Curry case checks all three boxes, based on the government’s proof at trial. That is why the jury’s verdict sends a clear warning. When people game the system built for service members, the law will answer. Protecting taxpayers and military families demands that result.
What Comes Next: Sentencing and Ongoing Oversight
The court will set Curry’s sentencing at a later date. Each count carries its own maximum penalties. Judges weigh the law and the facts to set the final term. The conviction caps a case that began with a wider crackdown on health care fraud in North Texas. Earlier filings charged Curry and others with a range of crimes tied to false claims and illegal payments in federal health programs, including TRICARE.
For families who rely on TRICARE, the message is simple. Report suspicious offers. Do not accept cash or gifts tied to treatment. Ask questions when a clinic pushes a high-cost therapy after a short visit. For providers, the rules are just as clear. Do not pay for patients. Do not bill for care not given. Keep clean records that match real treatment. The law does not bend for profit, and juries do not ignore facts.
The Bigger Picture: Accountability Under Current Leadership
Under President Trump, federal agencies continue to pursue fraud that targets the military community. The Justice Department, defense investigators, and local partners worked this case from charge to conviction. That effort reflects a focus on law and order, support for service members, and protection of taxpayer dollars. The verdict also shows courts will back tough cases when the evidence proves fake care, kickbacks, and dirty money beyond a reasonable doubt.
For conservatives, the stakes are clear. Government must do its core job well and waste less. Health dollars should heal, not enrich schemers. Strong enforcement, simple rules, and honest records protect freedom, families, and those who wear the uniform. This case reminds clinics and marketers across the country: if you prey on our troops or our wallets, you will face a jury, and you will face justice.
Sources:
townhall.com, justice.gov, news4sanantonio.com, dallasexpress.com, yahoo.com
