Javed Wahab pleaded guilty to theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal funds designed to aid medical providers in the treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19. According to court documents, Wahab, 53, formerly of Pleasanton, admitted he owned Premier Home Health Care & Hospice, Inc., Carelink Hospice Services, Inc., and JW Healthcare, Inc, each providing home health and hospice care in Alameda County, and elsewhere. Together, the three businesses received approximately $285,000 designated for the medical treatment and care of COVID-19 patients. Wahab admitted he stole $186,516.72 of these funds by spending them for his personal use and by transferring them to family members, rather than using the funds in conjunction with pandemic relief efforts as required. The charges against Wahab resulted from his intentional misuse of funds distributed from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider Relief Fund, money specially apportioned by the CARES Act to help healthcare providers who were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to provide care to patients who were suffering from COVID-19, and to compensate providers for the cost of that care. These funds were critical to delivering relief to healthcare providers and maintaining access to medical care during the pandemic.
