Insurance Fraud Casebook: Paying a Premium for Crime

The Twin-Cities Machine

BOB WEIR

Medical clinic fraud is a complex business. A typical clinic employs owners, doctors, office managers, clerical staff, marketers and transportation staff. Machine Medical Clinic (MMC) had all of these employees and then some. MMC seemingly came out of nowhere and grew to a high-volume, high-dollar clinic in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in a very short period of time.

Jim Johnson, M.D., was a licensed medical doctor who worked at reputable medical clinics for most of his long career. Johnson was a small man who was very soft spoken and always seemed to be nervous and looking over his shoulder. But late in his career Johnson decided to leave his employer and start his own medical clinic.

Igor Dimitrov was a Florida resident, originally from Moscow, and a partner in a clinic management company, TP Management, with another individual. He moved from Miami to Minnesota to start a joint venture and expand his operations with chiropractors and medical doctors in the area. Igor had a very direct and intimidating personality, which he used to coerce individuals into doing what he wanted, when he wanted it.

Running a Machine

Johnson established Machine Medical Clinic and was the registered owner, according secretary of state records. Medical clinics in Minnesota are required to be owned and operated by licensed medical professionals. MMC marketed ...