The Oxford Center CEO Tamela Peterson, 59, of Brighton, now faces nine counts of alleged healthcare fraud.
Peterson was arraigned before Magistrate Jerry Sherwood of Livingston County’s 53rd District Court on Jan. 20, the same day a judge in Oakland County considered whether she’ll stand trial for second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter following the death of a five-year-old patient.
Each charge of healthcare fraud is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a fine of $50,000, according to a release from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
The Oxford Center previously operated a location in Brighton, in addition to one in Troy. Peterson is accused of “having knowledge of” and being “the direct beneficiary of fraudulent healthcare claim practices” — including billing for services not completed, according to the release.
An investigation into the allegations began in September 2022, following complaints from previous providers and patients. Peterson was granted a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. She’s scheduled to return to court at 8 a.m. Jan. 27 for a probable cause conference before Judge Shauna Murphy. Her preliminary exam is scheduled for Feb. 3.
Closing arguments in the separate preliminary exam for second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter were underway when the release was issued Jan. 20, after which 52-4 District Judge Maureen M. McGinnis is expected to render a decision on whether Peterson and others will stand trial.
Peterson is charged alongside three employees in the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper, who was trapped inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the organization’s location in Troy when it burst into flames in January 2025.
Cooper was undergoing his 36th treatment for ADHD and sleep apnea when prosecutors say static electricity inside the chamber caused a spark that ignited a flash fire, killing him within minutes as his mother watched.
Also charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter are operations manager Gary Marken and safety director Jeffrey Mosteller. Aleta Harward Moffitt operated the chamber in question and is charged with involuntary manslaughter and intentionally placing false information on a medical record.
— Free Press reporter Kristen Shamus contributed to this report. Contact reporter Makayla Coffee at mcoffee@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Oxford CEO Tamela Peterson now faces nine counts of healthcare fraud
Reporting by Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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