Former Lewes man indicted on healthcare fraud, stealing identity

A former Lewes resident who worked at several healthcare clinics in Delaware faces charges of identity theft, healthcare fraud and obtaining drugs by fraud following a federal grand jury indictment filed Nov. 13.

The indictment charges Ty Mauldin with ordering thousands of opioid pills by stealing the identity of medical professionals with whom he worked. The grand jury also charged Mauldin with healthcare fraud in connection with billing thousands of dollars to Medicaid for services performed by Mauldin, and to his health insurance for pain medication.

Property records show Mauldin owned property in Lewes from 2022-24.

He faces 13 counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of healthcare fraud and seven counts of obtaining drugs by fraud. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence using U.S. sentencing guidelines, but maximum penalties could reach 74 years in prison and more than $2 million in fines.

Mauldin, whose address is now listed as South Dakota, pleaded not guilty to the indictment Dec. 11.

The indictment states Mauldin provided medical billing and credentialing services at a clinic that provided transcranial magnetic stimulation in 2024 and 2025, and for a healthcare clinic focused on mental health treatment that shared the same building; and he worked at an urgent care walk-in clinic in 2023-25.

The indictment states Mauldin lied about his professional qualifications and falsified information to obtain medical credentials that he would not otherwise have been granted. In February 2024, court records state, he applied to be a registered nurse in Delaware, listing false degrees and credentials before withdrawing his application after officials questioned it. In May 2024, records state, Mauldin applied for medical assistant certification and forged the signature of a nurse practitioner over competency in venipuncture and other techniques. By August 2024, records state, he obtained TMS therapy training certification that falsely showed he had a bachelor of science degree in nursing and was a registered nurse.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware said Mauldin also used his access to his own electronic medical records to falsify his own personal health records. He used those falsified health records and additional forged medical documents to present as a cancer patient requiring pain management services, officials said. Based on those false representations, officials said, he was treated by a pain management doctor, and his private health insurer was charged for those services. Those services included the installation of an intrathecal pain pump and the prescription of opioids, all done based on Mauldin’s forged medical records, officials said. 

The indictment states Mauldin also received fentanyl patches, used a nurse practitioner’s name to order injectable hydromorphone and morphine sulfate, and forged a nurse practitioner’s signature to receive 1,400 oxycodone tablets for himself.

“Ty Mauldin’s actions resulted in the illegal diversion of thousands of doses of opioid medication. And his actions falsely portraying himself as a medical professional undermine the public’s confidence in our health system,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace in a press release. “My office and our partners will continue to do everything in our power to prevent the illegal diversion of opioids and will pursue to the fullest extent of the law those who pose a public health threat to our communities.”