By james art A Florida man who owns labs in Birmingham and Spanish Fort is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to his actions in a COVID-19 testing scheme.
James “Bo” Potter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the bribery statute in federal court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama filed the case, alleging that from February to May 2023, Potter bought and sold Medicare beneficiary identification numbers (BINs) in connection with a nearly $20 million scheme. These BINS were then used to bill Medicare for the test kits. Prosecutors said the beneficiaries never asked for many of these kits and never received them.
Potter faces up to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. He also has to forfeit over $6 million held in accounts by his business.
Brian Coutugno of Auburn, Ga., was named as Potter’s co-conspirator. Cotugno, who sold the tests to Potter, also pleaded guilty.
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