How a promising HR project turned into my most shocking lesson in business
Every HR consultant has stories — but this one was different.
This wasn’t just about hiring or policy. It was about deception, greed, and a federal indictment. What started as a dream client relationship turned into the most unforgettable wake-up call of my career.
Meeting “George”
Back in the early years, when building Expert Human Resources, I was in full hustle mode. I networked everywhere — even at the gym. That’s where I met Bill, who said:
“I know someone who could use your services right away.”
It was a behavioral health startup, launched by two men with a successful operation in another city. Bill said, “They’re building from the ground up — and they need HR done right.”
I was excited.
I met with the owner — let’s call him George — and got to work.
Building the Foundation
At first, everything went smoothly. I provided:
- Job profiles
- Offer letters
- A comprehensive employee handbook
- Full new-hire compliance support
The company was growing. They were hiring fast. Everything appeared on track.
Then Red Flags Began
Then… something shifted.
George became difficult to reach.
Payments became inconsistent.
And when I visited the office, the energy felt different — less focused, less structured.
One day, George asked me to help hire a medical assistant. I found him several candidates. He said he was choosing between two of them:
- One who had extensive experience.
- One who had just graduated from school, with no hands-on background.
I gave my professional recommendation.
He said he’d let me know.
Then I never heard from him again.
He never followed up — and he never paid me for the final work I had done.
Then Came the Call
About a year later, my phone exploded.
“Vanessa… you’re not going to believe this. Your old client just got raided by the FBI.”
The Real Story Behind the Fraud
George was indicted for Medicare fraud totaling almost $1 million.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice:
- Employees were instructed to fabricate therapy records.
- Patients were told to pre-sign sign-in sheets months in advance.
- Fake progress notes were created for sessions that never occurred.
- Medicare was billed as if social workers were providing over 24 hours of therapy in a single day
And the medical assistant he ended up hiring — the one without experience?
He hired her behind my back, and tragically, she became part of the scheme.
She was later convicted and served time in prison for signing off on falsified session records.
What made it worse?
These individuals were qualified to provide real care.
But they let greed take over — and it cost them everything.
What I Know for Sure
That day, 15 years ago, changed the way I do business forever.
Not every “opportunity” is what it seems.
Not every client with a smile is building something ethical.
Sometimes the real risk isn’t legal — it’s reputational.
As HR professionals, we are trusted to build safe, compliant, people-first organizations.
But we must also protect ourselves — with contracts, boundaries, and discernment.
Final Thoughts
I still believe in building businesses with heart.
But I now build with eyes wide open — and a clear, unwavering standard of integrity.
️ Need Help Protecting Your Company From Risk?
At Expert Human Resources, I help organizations stay compliant, reduce liability, and protect their people — before it’s too late.
- HR Audits
- Workplace Investigations
- Policies, Handbooks & Compliance Support
➡️ Click here to request a confidential consultation
“Your reputation is your most valuable asset. Let’s protect it together.”
— Vanessa G. Nelson, Expert Human Resources
