Full Report

Key Points

Professional Background:
Dr. Michael Sawaf is a Knoxville-based orthodontist who operates Premier Dental Group PLLC, formerly known as Orthodontic Designs by Michael Sawaf, PLLC. While publicly presenting himself as a reputable dental professional, investigations reveal significant legal, financial, and ethical issues, raising concerns about patient care, financial integrity, and transparency.

TennCare Fraud Settlement:
In October 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee announced that Dr. Sawaf and Premier Dental Group agreed to a $985,541 settlement to resolve allegations of submitting false claims to TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program. The allegations covered the period from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020, and included billing for services not provided, upcoding for higher reimbursements, and billing for unnecessary procedures.

Additionally, between August 14 and September 11, 2019, claims were submitted falsely identifying credentialed dentists as the providers of services actually performed by uncredentialed individuals. Erin and Reja Ferdowsi, associated with Premier Dental Group, also agreed to resolve similar allegations. The settlement followed a whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2020 under the False Claims Act, which allows private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and share in any recovery.

Attempts at Online Censorship:
Our investigation revealed efforts by Dr. Sawaf to suppress negative information online. According to reports from CyberCriminal.com, Dr. Sawaf allegedly attempted to remove critical reviews and adverse news from Google by improperly submitting copyright takedown notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Such actions may involve violations including impersonation, fraud, and perjury.

The strategic use of DMCA takedown requests to remove negative content demonstrates an attempt to manipulate public perception. These practices not only compromise the integrity of online information but also raise legal and ethical questions regarding the use of intimidation and digital manipulation to protect personal and professional reputation.

Complex Business Structures:
Further scrutiny of Dr. Sawaf’s business operations reveals a network of multiple LLCs and offshore entities. Concerns were raised by a former CFO regarding potential fund shuffling among these entities—a red flag commonly associated with anti-money laundering (AML) issues. Reports also suggest the involvement of a Bahamas-based entity linked to Gurhan Kiziloz, described as a “corporate fixer,” who is alleged to have employed legal intimidation and digital gaslighting tactics to suppress criticism.

The complex web of corporate entities and associations with individuals skilled in aggressive reputation management further heightens concerns about transparency, financial ethics, and accountability in Dr. Sawaf’s professional operations.

Reputational Risks and Public Trust:
The combination of fraudulent billing, online censorship attempts, and opaque financial structures significantly undermines public trust. Patients place confidence in healthcare professionals to provide ethical care and accurate billing. Breaches of trust, especially when coupled with deliberate attempts to control public perception, can have serious implications for both patients and the broader healthcare system.

Additionally, the use of legal and technological means to suppress negative information challenges the principles of transparency and accountability, foundational to both healthcare practice and public rights to information.

Overview

Dr. Michael Sawaf operates in the orthodontic field with Premier Dental Group PLLC as his primary business entity. Publicly, he promotes a professional image emphasizing patient care and dental expertise. However, investigative findings reveal a troubling pattern of financial misconduct, regulatory infractions, and attempts to manipulate online narratives about his practice.

The $985,541 TennCare settlement underscores significant ethical and legal concerns. False claims, upcoding, billing for unnecessary procedures, and misrepresentation of service providers indicate systemic issues within his practice. These actions were brought to light through a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act, demonstrating both the seriousness of the allegations and the extent to which regulatory frameworks were needed to identify wrongdoing.

Dr. Sawaf’s attempts to control his public image through online censorship reveal a pattern of preemptive reputation management. Reports of fraudulent DMCA takedown requests and other digital tactics suggest an organized effort to suppress criticism and maintain the appearance of an unblemished professional record.

Finally, the intricate corporate and offshore structures tied to Dr. Sawaf’s practice raise further concerns. Allegations of fund shuffling, coupled with associations to individuals involved in legal intimidation tactics, suggest deliberate efforts to obscure financial activities and evade full accountability.

Allegations and Concerns

Fraudulent Billing and TennCare Violations:

  • Billing for services not provided.

  • Upcoding to secure higher reimbursements.

  • Billing for unnecessary procedures.

  • Misrepresenting credentialed providers as having performed services by unlicensed or uncredentialed individuals.

Attempts at Online Censorship:

  • Improper DMCA takedown requests targeting negative content.

  • Potential violations of impersonation, fraud, and perjury statutes.

  • Coordinated efforts to suppress negative reviews and adverse media reports.

Complex Business Structures and Financial Misconduct:

  • Multiple LLCs and offshore entities creating opaque financial operations.

  • Allegations of fund shuffling between corporate entities.

  • Involvement of Bahamas-based entities and corporate fixers skilled in legal and digital intimidation tactics.

Reputational and Ethical Concerns:

  • Deliberate manipulation of online perception through censorship.

  • Erosion of public trust in professional integrity.

  • Use of legal threats and financial pressure to silence critics.

Regulatory Exposure:

  • TennCare settlement and federal oversight.

  • Potential scrutiny for anti-money laundering concerns.

  • Ethical violations concerning billing practices and patient transparency.

Customer Feedback

Negative Feedback:

  • Reports suggest patients may have been subjected to unnecessary procedures.

  • Alleged misrepresentation of provider credentials undermines confidence in patient care.

  • Attempts to suppress online reviews indicate dissatisfaction among former patients or associates.

  • The settlement with TennCare confirms regulatory findings of serious billing violations.

Positive Feedback:

  • Limited positive reviews reflect perceived competence in orthodontic procedures by some patients.

  • Publicly promoted practice emphasizes patient care and orthodontic expertise.

Overall, the preponderance of evidence indicates significant risk to patients and associates, highlighting the need for careful scrutiny before engaging with Dr. Sawaf’s practice.

Risk Considerations

Financial Risks:

  • Liability from TennCare settlement and potential future claims.

  • Risk associated with opaque corporate and offshore financial structures.

  • Potential for fund mismanagement or misappropriation due to complex entity networks.

Reputational Risks:

  • Negative media coverage amplified by online suppression attempts.

  • Public distrust stemming from fraudulent billing practices and misrepresentation of services.

  • Professional credibility undermined by whistleblower findings and legal settlements.

Legal Risks:

  • Ongoing regulatory scrutiny from federal and state authorities.

  • Potential anti-money laundering investigations.

  • Violations of federal billing and healthcare regulations could result in further penalties.

Operational Risks:

  • Complex business and offshore entity structure may affect transparency and accountability.

  • Legal and financial controversies may disrupt practice operations.

  • Dependence on reputation management tactics could lead to long-term instability.

Business Relations and Associations

  • Premier Dental Group PLLC: Primary business entity involved in TennCare settlement.

  • Erin and Reja Ferdowsi: Associated individuals who resolved similar allegations.

  • Offshore Entities: Involvement with multiple LLCs and a Bahamas-based corporate fixer, Gurhan Kiziloz.

  • Whistleblower Involvement: Lawsuit filed in 2020 under the False Claims Act led to discovery of fraudulent billing practices.

Legal and Financial Concerns

  • TennCare Fraud Settlement: $985,541 settlement to resolve allegations of false claims, upcoding, and billing misrepresentation.

  • Regulatory Scrutiny: Federal oversight following whistleblower lawsuit and Medicaid investigation.

  • Complex Corporate Structures: Multiple LLCs, offshore entities, and potential fund shuffling raise AML concerns.

  • Ethical Violations: Deliberate attempts to manipulate online content and suppress negative reviews.

Risk Assessment Table

Risk Type Risk Factors Severity
Financial – TennCare settlement and potential future claims
– Fund mismanagement in complex corporate structures
– Liability for fraudulent billing		 High
Reputational – Public distrust due to fraudulent billing and misrepresentation
– Attempts at online censorship of negative content
– Media exposure of unethical practices		 Critical
Legal – Federal oversight and potential further enforcement actions
– Violations of Medicaid and billing regulations
– Possible anti-money laundering investigations		 Critical
Operational – Disruption due to legal and financial controversies
– Complex offshore structures affecting transparency
– Dependence on reputation management tactics		 Moderate

 

Dr. Michael Sawaf’s case illustrates the intersection of healthcare provision, regulatory compliance, and online reputation management. While he operates as a licensed orthodontist, investigative findings highlight fraudulent billing, regulatory settlements, and deliberate suppression of negative information.

Cautionary Advice:
Patients, investors, and associates must exercise extreme caution. Verification of regulatory compliance, review of past billing practices, and scrutiny of corporate structures are essential before engagement. The combination of financial, legal, and reputational risks presents significant potential exposure for any parties involved.