A Milton resident, Fritz Gabriel, 71, has been sentenced to two consecutive 2 ½-year terms in the House of Correction after being convicted for defrauding MassHealth, practicing dentistry without a license, and illegally prescribing controlled substances. The sentencing follows an eight-day jury trial in Suffolk Superior Court where Gabriel was found guilty on charges including Medicaid False Claims, Larceny Over $1,200, Unlicensed Practice of Dentistry, and Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances.
Gabriel will also serve two years of probation following his incarceration and must pay restitution to MassHealth. The exact amount will be determined at a hearing scheduled for April 1 in Suffolk Superior Court.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Gabriel submitted claims to MassHealth for dental procedures such as extractions, root canals, and multi-surface fillings that were never performed. He also billed for services he provided despite not being a licensed dentist. Authorities estimate the fraudulent claims resulted in approximately $245,000 being obtained from MassHealth.
Additionally, Gabriel issued prescriptions for controlled substances like Percocet and Hydrocodone using another dentist’s registration number and credentials without their knowledge or authorization. State law requires only licensed dentists to issue such prescriptions and prohibits sharing prescription authority with other dental professionals.
“This matter is the AGO’s most recent effort to hold accountable those who misuse roles of authority or public trust, including dentists who abuse the state’s Medicaid program, MassHealth,” according to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). “In June 2024, the AGO announced indictments against a Worcester-based dentist and practice in a $2 million Medicaid fraud and larceny scheme that involved billing for dental services that were never provided.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Sean Hildenbrandt and Managing Attorney Heidi Lyn Gosule with Senior Healthcare Fraud Investigator Kathleen Tansey from the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division. Victim Witness Advocate Jennifer Spinale assisted in the case along with support from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The AGO’s Medicaid Fraud Division is certified annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to investigate health care providers who defraud MassHealth or commit abuse or neglect involving Medicaid patients or long-term care residents. Individuals can file complaints about suspected fraud or abuse through resources available on the AGO’s website.
The Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Division receives most of its funding—75 percent—from a federal grant totaling $6.46 million for fiscal year 2026; the remaining quarter comes from state funds totaling $2.15 million.
