OCALA, FL — A licensed mental health counselor in Ocala, Michelle Forsythe, 61, has been arrested and federally charged with wire fraud and identity theft for allegedly using her patients’ personal information to bill insurance companies for services never rendered.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Forsythe is accused of submitting fraudulent insurance claims over a period of more than six years, collecting nearly $500,000 through false billing.
Forsythe now faces 14 counts of wire fraud, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. She is also charged with identity theft for allegedly misusing patient information in the scheme.
A records search indicates that Forsythe has been licensed in Florida since 2002 with no prior formal complaints.
Federal prosecutors have not yet disclosed how the scheme was uncovered, but the charges reflect a serious breach of patient trust and potential violations of federal healthcare regulations.
If convicted, Forsythe could be ordered to repay nearly $500,000 in restitution in addition to serving prison time.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials urge anyone who suspects they may have been affected to contact authorities.
