Ohio Inspector General Investigation Finds Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Doctor Improperly Used State Time and Resources

The Ohio Inspector General issued a report of investigation related to a matter referred from the Ohio Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) involving a doctor who was employed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to provide medical care at the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital (NOPH). The Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital is one of six regional state psychiatric hospitals operated by OhioMHAS. MFCU representatives alleged that Physician Specialist Christian Maduoma provided services and completed paperwork for patients from his private clinic, Hill Clinic LLC, during concurrent times he reported working for NOPH and was being paid by OhioMHAS.

Maduoma was hired by OhioMHAS on January 12, 2015, and Madouma incorporated Hill Clinic, LLC, on November 25, 2018, to provide recovery outreach services. Both NOPH and the Clinic are located in Toledo, Ohio.

The Office of the Ohio Inspector General reviewed and analyzed records obtained from OhioMHAS and NOPH and subsequently issued subpoenas to vendors to obtain the Clinic's payroll records and Maduoma's personal cell phone records. In addition, investigators examined records obtained by the MFCU, including but not limited to, Clinic patient records and Clinic electronic medical record accesses. Lastly, investigators conducted various in-person interviews and evaluated the summaries of interviews conducted by MFCU for information relevant to the investigation.

From this examination of records and interviews conducted, the Office of the Ohio Inspector General found Maduoma violated OhioMHAS policies when he:
• Conducted office visits with his Clinic patients during concurrent times he reported working for NOPH and was being paid by OhioMHAS, totaling $131,013.05 in wages improperly paid.
• Engaged in phone calls and texting regarding matters related to his Clinic during concurrent times he reported working for NOPH and was being paid by OhioMHAS, totaling $6,152.52 in wages improperly paid.
• Used his OhioMHAS/NOPH-issued computer and email account for Clinic business.

This investigation was conducted in conjunction with the Ohio Attorney General's Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and with assistance from the Ohio Ethics Commission.

The Office of the Ohio Inspector General made eight recommendations to OhioMHAS as a result of the investigation. The report of investigation has been sent to the City of Columbus Prosecuting Attorney, the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office, the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office, the Ohio Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Ohio Ethics Commission, the State Medical Board of Ohio, and the Ohio Auditor of State for consideration.

Ohio Inspector General Report of Investigation file number 2023-CA00014 is now available.