PANAMA CITY — Bright Pediatrics was closed briefly Wednesday, as authorities from Florida State Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) searched its offices.
The MFCU served search warrants on the two Bright Pediatrics locations at 3520 E. 15th St. and 340 W. 23rd St., officials with the Attorney General’s Office confirmed. Officers with the department were seen removing boxes from the 23rd Street location in the morning. The 15th Street office also was closed on Wednesday and both offices will be open on Thursday.
Dr. Sameh M. Elamir is the listed physician at Bright Pediatrics.
“We don’t have any comments,” said Beth Hamilton, medical assistant at the West 23rd Street location. “We don’t know what’s going on.”
The State Attorney General’s Office would not provide further comment and said the criminal investigation is ongoing.
Bright Pediatrics has received mostly positive reviews online.
“Absolutely LOVE the staff and how well they are with my son,” Amber Nicole Willis said in a Facebook review, rating Bright Pediatrics five stars out of five. “ I would/will most definitely suggest Bright Pediatrics to anyone who is looking for a new pediatrician.”
“Bright Pediatrics is the best. Dr. Elimar and his staff are awesome,” Dawn Hollis said in a Google Plus review, which also had a five-star rating. “They are kind, professional, and really care about the health of our children.”