Former West Virginia Health Official Sentenced for Lying About COVID-19 Test Invoices

A former West Virginia state health official, Timothy Priddy, has been sentenced to one year of probation for falsifying information related to vendor invoices for COVID-19 tests. The sentencing took place in federal court following Priddy's guilty plea to making a false statement to investigators.

An indictment filed in October 2022 charged Priddy with lying to federal agents regarding the verification of vendor invoices for COVID-19 tests as part of a back-to-school program. It was revealed that Priddy made false statements about verifying these invoices, leading to his guilty plea.

Prosecutors revealed that federal investigators were examining whether vendors providing COVID-19 tests and services to the state had overbilled or received improper federal payments. The focus was on a particular vendor that had submitted invoices approved by Priddy, totaling over $34 million. Despite reporting the results of approximately 49,000 COVID-19 tests, the vendor submitted invoices reflecting the cost of around 518,000 test kits, raising suspicions of overbilling and misuse of federal funds.

The indictment did not disclose the vendor's name but confirmed that it was from out of state, providing test kits, laboratory analysis, and community testing events across West Virginia. Vendors were required to report accurate test results to help officials track COVID-19 infections and identify hot spots.

Response from Authorities

The West Virginia Health Department stated that their contract with the implicated company ceased in October 2022 and emphasized their full cooperation with federal investigators. U.S. Attorney Will Thompson expressed significant concerns about the legitimacy of the vendor's invoices, suggesting potential misuse of federal funds in the process.

The prosecution indicated that Priddy's false statements were not aimed at protecting the vendor or promoting its business. Instead, it was suggested that Priddy lied to conceal his own failure to fulfill his responsibilities, implying a breach of duty on his part. It is evident from this case that transparency and accuracy in financial dealings related to public health are imperative, especially during a global health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.