Guilty Verdicts for Unlicensed Dentistry, Illegal Prescribing, Medicaid Fraud

Detected February 18th, 2026

Summary

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office secured guilty verdicts against Fritz Gabriel for Medicaid fraud, illegal prescribing, and unlicensed dentistry. Gabriel defrauded MassHealth of approximately $245,000 by billing for services not rendered and illegally prescribing controlled substances. Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026.

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What changed

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced guilty verdicts against Fritz Gabriel following an eight-day jury trial. Gabriel was convicted of Medicaid False Claims, Larceny Over $1,200, Unlicensed Practice of Dentistry, and Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances. Evidence presented indicated Gabriel billed MassHealth (the state's Medicaid program) for approximately $245,000 in dental services that were never provided or were performed by him while unlicensed. He also illegally issued prescriptions for controlled substances using another dentist's credentials without authorization.

This enforcement action highlights the risks associated with fraudulent billing practices and the unlicensed practice of medicine or dentistry. Regulated healthcare providers must ensure all services billed are legitimate and performed by licensed professionals. Failure to comply can result in significant financial penalties, criminal charges, and reputational damage. Gabriel's sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, at Suffolk County Superior Court.

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This page, AG Campbell Secures Guilty Verdicts Against Milton Man For The Unlicensed Practice Of Dentistry, Illegal Prescribing, And Medicaid Fraud , is offered by
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Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary

Phone

Call Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at sydney.weiser@mass.gov

BOSTON — After an eight-day jury trial, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has secured guilty verdicts against Fritz Gabriel, age 71, of Milton, in connection with a scheme to defraud MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, illegal prescribing and the unlicensed practice of dentistry. On February 9th, Gabriel was found guilty of one count of Medicaid False Claims, one count of Larceny Over $1,200, one count of Unlicensed Practice of Dentistry, and one count of Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances.

Gabriel’s sentencing has been scheduled for 9 AM on February 26, 2026, at Suffolk County Superior Court.

According to evidence presented at trial, Gabriel billed MassHealth for services provided at a dental clinic in Boston, including extractions, root canals, and multi-surface fillings, that were never actually provided to the MassHealth members. The AGO further determined that Gabriel billed MassHealth for dental services that he provided, even though he was not a licensed dentist, and despite the fact that the services billed were required to be performed by a licensed dentist. The total amount believed to have been fraudulently obtained from MassHealth as a result of these submissions is approximately $245,000.

In addition to falsely representing himself as a licensed dentist, Gabriel issued prescriptions, including ones for controlled substances such as Percocet and Hydrocodone, using the registration number and credentials of a dentist without that dentist’s knowledge or authorization. Under state law, only licensed dentists are authorized to issue prescriptions to dental patients, and dentists are prohibited from allowing any other dental professionals, including dental assistants, to issue prescriptions.

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. 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.

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Sean Hildenbrandt and Managing Attorney Heidi Lyn Gosule, and Senior Healthcare Fraud Investigator Kathleen Tansey, all of the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division, with assistance from Victim Witness Advocate Jennifer Spinale. The Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also provided valuable assistance in this matter.

The AGO’s Medicaid Fraud Division is a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, annually certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to investigate and prosecute health care providers who defraud the state’s Medicaid program, MassHealth. The Medicaid Fraud Division also has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute complaints of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities and of Medicaid patients in any health care setting. Individuals may file a Medicaid/MassHealth fraud complaint or report cases of abuse or neglect of Medicaid patients or long-term care residents by visiting the AGO’s website.

The Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Division receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5,922,320 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,974,102 for FY 2025, is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary

Phone

Call Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at sydney.weiser@mass.gov

Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary

Phone

Call Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at sydney.weiser@mass.gov

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