Maryland Man Faces Indictment Over COVID Fraud Scheme

Federal prosecutors have indicted Maryland businessman Marc Aaron Potash, 57, over allegations that he led a COVID-19 healthcare fraud scheme involving more than $100 million in false claims submitted to insurers, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

The indictment charges Potash with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and seven counts of healthcare fraud. The alleged scheme involved claims sent to Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and other insurers for at-home COVID-19 tests.

According to the indictment, the alleged conduct occurred from January 2022 through May 2026 and involved Tiero LLC, a Gaithersburg company founded by Potash. Prosecutors said false records were used to portray on-site testing services at the company.

The indictment alleges Tiero paperwork falsely described medical providers performing COVID-19 testing at a laboratory. Prosecutors said claims included false service dates, locations and rendering providers.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, the alleged operation resulted in more than $100 million in fraudulent claims and more than $50 million in insurance payments to Tiero.

"However, in reality, Potash and his co-conspirators merely shipped over-the-counter, self-administered COVID-19 tests to insured individuals across the country," said the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

The indictment also alleges Potash conducted transactions involving criminally derived proceeds, including purchases of a Range Rover, a Mercedes-Benz and $4 million in real estate in Beallsville, Maryland.

Prosecutors also allege two security transfers totaled more than $12 million. The charges include five counts related to transactions involving alleged criminal proceeds.

The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes with officials from the FBI Washington Field Office, HHS Office of Inspector General and Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt, and Potash is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for the charged offenses.