Former AHCCCS Chief Procurement Officer Michael J. Veit, and his long-time friend and co-conspirator Michael J. Cameron, will both be sent to prison for stealing $5.9 million from the State of Arizona.
This morning, a judge sentenced Cameron to 6.5 years of prison for his role in the fraudulent scheme. Cameron pled guilty to Theft and Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices in March 2016. On Monday, a judge sentenced Veit to 10 years in prison. Veit pled guilty to Theft and Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices. As part of the sentence, Veit forfeited his right to all benefits under the state retirement system.
A 9-month investigation conducted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section and the AHCCCS Office of Inspector General uncovered Veit and Cameron created a sham business for the sole purpose of stealing taxpayer money.
Investigators found Veit would create bogus invoices making it appear they were from a legitimate vendor who was owed money by AHCCCS. From March 1, 2006 to August 26, 2015, Veit funneled $5,909,404.58 of AHCCCS funds into the sham business bank account controlled by Cameron. The money was then drawn out of the account and used to benefit Veit and his family members, along with Cameron.
As part of the plea agreement, Veit and Cameron must pay $5.9 million in restitution to the State of Arizona.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office will continue its ongoing legal efforts to seize Veit’s and Cameron’s assets in order to reimburse AHCCCS for the money stolen.