Tracy Bevington and Deborah Bevington charged with medical fraud in Windsor

A Windsor couple is facing numerous fraud charges after a lengthy investigation conducted by the Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit. On September 24, 2010, the Windsor Police Service was contacted by a financial institution in the City of Windsor reporting that a cheque had been written by the owner of Ecumedical Resources International (ERI) to a Michigan hospital for medical services provided to a patient. The financial institution reported that the cheque had returned NSF and that the cheque had been written on an account which had previously been closed.

On October 15, 2010, a local media outlet reported that an Essex, On. woman had paid ERI over $19,000 for medical treatment she had received at a hospital in Michigan. She had entered into an agreement with ERI with the understanding that ERI would arrange for the treatment and pay the medical bills on her behalf. The woman learned that ERI had not paid her medical bills and presently, the hospital is seeking payment from her. This published report prompted other victims experiencing similar situations to contact the Windsor Police Service.

To date, seven victims have contacted the WPS Financial Crime Unit to report similar occurrences involving failed payment by ERI to medical facilities in Michigan. The majority of these complainants are from the Windsor-Essex area however, one victim resides in Alberta and another two are from Mississauga, On. and Barrie, On.

The investigation has revealed that ERI functioned as a "go- between" service for Canadian patients seeking health care in the United States but primarily in Michigan. ERI would arrange for medical procedures for their clients and in turn, their clients would pay all medical fees in advance to ERI including ERI’s 40-50% fee. The clients were assured by ERI that the fees paid would cover the costs for their treatment in the United States. Clients of ERI are now receiving invoices from medical practitioners and hospitals located in the United States as a result of ERI’s failure to pay as promised. These clients are not only subject to the loss of money paid to ERI but are now facing medical bills from creditors on behalf of the Michigan medical facilities.

Tracy BEVINGTON – 58 years and Deborah BEVINGTON – 57 years, both of Windsor are charged with six counts of Fraud Over $5000 and two counts of Fraud Under $5000. The Bevingtons turned themselves in to Windsor Police Headquarters on Wednesday October 27, 2010 and were released from custody on a Promise To Appear in Court at a future date.