An optometrist who formerly operated eleven Pearle Vision centers, including the one at the Indiana Mall, was sentenced yesterday to serve 33 months in federal prison, pay a $25,000 fine, and make restitution payments to an insurance carrier and a vision care provider.
31-year-old Dr. Vincent Gamuzza of Hazelet, New Jersey pleaded guilty in September to one count of health care fraud, admitting in federal court that between December of 2015 and July of 2016 he submitted false insurance claims to Highmark, and that he submitted claims to Highmark and to Davis Vision for the same services. Losses totaled between $250,000 and $550,000. Gamuzza also acknowledged during his sentencing yesterday that he attempted to obstruct justice by submitting fabricated treatment records to the government to justify his fraudulent billing.
U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon ordered Gamuzza to make restitution of $95,667 to Highmark and $3,333 to Davis Vision.
