AeroVanti founder convicted in separate $18.7 million Medicare fraud case

What does the new conviction cover?

The Medicare case concerns Provista Health and respiratory pathogen panel testing during 2020. DOJ says Britton-Harr billed $18.7 million over six months; Medicare paid more than $7.2 million. Physicians had not ordered the tests, and many were never performed, including tests billed for deceased nursing-home residents. U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland ↗

The billed amount and the amount paid are not interchangeable. Neither is a measure of AeroVanti members’ losses.

How is this different from the AeroVanti case?

The earlier verdict concerned prepaid aviation access. DOJ’s June 4 release dates that conviction to June 3, 2026, and records six wire-fraud counts. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs ↗

According to DOJ, AeroVanti’s Top Gun offer asked members for $150,000 upfront toward aircraft purchases in return for discounted flying hours. Britton-Harr promised specific aircraft purchases and protection through aircraft titles held in escrow. Members collectively paid about $15 million toward five aircraft; trial evidence showed he diverted their money to personal uses. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs ↗

What is known about sentencing and the defense response?

Business Observer’s October 22 report says sentencing in the Medicare case is scheduled for December 21, 2026, at 10 a.m., citing an email from the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office. DOJ’s earlier October 21 release did not yet give a date. Business Observer — Elizabeth King ↗

DOJ lists a maximum of 10 years on each Medicare-case count and cautions that actual sentences are typically below statutory maximums. That is potential exposure, not a sentence already imposed. U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland ↗

In the updated Business Observer story, attorney Gerald Ruter described Britton-Harr as a good man and characterized entrepreneurs as sometimes moving too quickly and making missteps. The publication also reports a request for a new trial in the separate AeroVanti case, alleging misconduct involving a court clerk and jurors. This article does not establish a ruling on that request. Business Observer — Elizabeth King ↗

What should private flyers take from the case?

Our assessment: prepaid access and protection of the payment need separate scrutiny. A discounted hourly rate describes a flying offer; it does not explain where unused money sits, who can spend it or what happens if the promised service is unavailable.

• Name the contracting entity. Match the agreement, invoice and payment recipient; ask who actually operates each flight.
• Document any protection claim. Ask what is held in escrow—cash, aircraft titles or something else—and who controls releases. Have an independent adviser review the documents rather than relying on a sales description.
• Separate paid money from promotional value. Request an account statement showing deposits, charges, credits and refunds.
• Check the exit terms. Locate the written cancellation, refund and service-interruption provisions before committing more money.

For U.S. charter, the FAA advises asking to see the operator’s Air Carrier or Operating Certificate and confirming aircraft authorization for charter use. That operational check is not an assessment of a membership seller’s financial position. Federal Aviation Administration ↗

Use our jet cards vs. on-demand charter guide to compare commitment models, and the private jet booking checklist to organize trip-specific questions. For local travel planning, see private jet charter in Sarasota.