Granite Countertops in Pawley's Island, SC

PAWLEYS ISLAND — A Pawleys Island doctor and his practices have agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations of medical fraud spanning from May 2016 to November 2021.

Dr. Gerald Congdon and his practices, Coastal Urgent Care LLC and Coastal Wellness Center LLC, allegedly referred patients to a laboratory in Anderson in exchange for thousands of dollars, the U.S. Department of Justice announced March 6.

They disguised the funds as office space rental and phlebotomy payments, according to a news release from the DOJ.

Congdon said the lab did sublease office space from him.

“I don’t know what happened there, but two years ago I was contacted by the Department of Justice and they said that they didn’t want doctors leasing their office space to lab companies,” he said. “And they demanded the money back.”

Congdon and his practices are part of a $1.9 million settlement involving several other physicians and companies who allegedly received money in exchange for ordering tests at the Anderson laboratory.

They’re accused of committing kickback schemes, which involve receiving remuneration (money, gifts or other incentives), in exchange for referring items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded healthcare programs.

Kickback laws aim to ensure medical providers make decisions based on their patients’ best interests and not financial incentives.

Dr. Gbenga Aluko of Charlotte and Dr. Anup Banerjee of Gastonia and their medical practices have agreed to pay to settle allegations similar to those Congdon faces.

Additionally, Omar Hussain of South Miami and his health care marketing company Curis Healthcare have agreed to pay nearly $818,000 for arranging Medicare and TRICARE referrals to the Anderson lab from April 2020 to August 2021.

They will also pay $240,000 in conjunction with the Chicago-based Saeed Medical Group.

The kickback schemes allegedly violated federal law and led to false or fraudulent laboratory testing claims being sent to Medicare and TRICARE.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the Fraud Section, the FBI and other federal agencies collaborated to pursue the settlements.

“The public puts immense trust in medical professionals, and disdain for the rule of law damages that trust and erodes their credibility,” Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office said in a statement. “These settlements should serve as a reminder that the FBI and its partners are committed to holding medical practitioners accountable for kickbacks.”

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS at PAWLEYS ISLAND BEACH BASH DATE/TIME: Wednesday, March 12, 8:30 a.m. / Thursday, March 13, 8:30 a.m. (36 holes stroke play) GOLF COURSE: The Founders Club | Pawleys Island, S.C. LIVE RESULTS

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon women's golf team will make its spring debut on Wednesday, March 12 and Thursday, March 13 competing in the Pawleys Island Beach Bash in Pawleys Island, S.C.

Head coach Scott Stano's team will be one of nine teams teeing it up in the 36-hole event. The field includes Gannon, Fairmont State, Franklin Pierce, Mars Hill, New Haven, Ohio Dominican, University of Indianapolis, UNC Pembroke, and Ursuline. Each team will play six golfers with the top four scores counting.

Stano assembled a very demanding schedule for the lady linksters and as the fall went on they continued to grow. The six-match fall season ended with a first place showing in the Michael Corbett Fall Classic, followed by a third place showing at the Panther Invitational and a second place finish at the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational.

The Gannon lineup is led by senior Ditte Petersen (Dianalund, Denmark/Sorø Akademi Skole). The native of Denmark is the two-time defending PSAC champion and repeated as the PSAC Women's Golf Athlete of the Year. She posted an average of 75.7 in 13 rounds in the fall.

Andrea Martinez (Tarragona, Spain/Col·legi Vedruna Sagrat Cor), a two-time first team All-PSAC performer, averaged 78.2 over 13 rounds while Alexandria LeCureux (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) had a solid beginning to her freshman season, averaging 77.8 in 13 rounds.

Cloe Mateo (Sabadell, Spain/Montcau la Mola) was a first team All-PSAC selection and the Freshman of the Year last season. She had a 77.6 average in 11 rounds in the fall.

Gannon Lineup

INDIVIDUALS: Gunnhildur Gunnarsdottir (85.4 in 11 rds.), Samantha Turk (Euclid, Ohio/Villa Angela-St. Joseph) (88.3 avg. in 7 rds.)

Discover Charleston-area favorites and lesser-known oceanfront communities.

The South Carolina coast is full of laid-back beach towns with wide stretches of sand, palm-lined bike paths, quaint boardwalks, and restaurants cooking up fresh-caught Lowcountry fare. I’ve spent much of my life frequenting the Palmetto State’s beach towns—visiting Kiawah Island every year and even living in Charleston for a period. Using my own experience and the expertise of a few locals, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best beach towns in South Carolina. See if your favorite made the cut below.

Isle of Palms

I’ve spent countless days on Isle of Palms, a small barrier island about 15 miles from downtown Charleston. It's one of the more family-friendly beach destinations in the area, and many visitors opt to stay at Wild Dunes Resort or rent a roomy oceanfront home. No matter where you are on the island, though, its leisurely pace, wide beach, and classic small-town vibes will entice visitors of all ages. One of my favorite things to do on “IOP,” as the locals call it, is to grab dinner at Islander 71 and watch the boats come in and out of the marina. I’d also recommend checking out the live music schedule at The Windjammer—or picking up a frosé (frozen rosé) to-go from The Co-Op.

Kiawah Island

In South Carolina, a beach town should evoke a nostalgic mix of humidity, salt water, and the distinctly earthy smell of pluff mud emanating from the salt marshes. Kiawah Island meets all of these criteria—and then some. A majority of the island functions as a gated private community, accessible only to residents, their guests, and those with reservations. However, there are a couple of areas open to the public if you want to do a day trip, namely Kiawah Beachwalker Park and the shopping center Freshfields Village. At the latter, you can load up on all your vacation essentials: groceries, beach reads, bathing suits, and more.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach may technically be a city, but it has all of the trappings of your classic beach town. There’s a bustling boardwalk, golf courses, go-karts, souvenir shopping, and, of course, a number of public beaches. “I’ve always been drawn to the nostalgia that you can find on Myrtle Beach,” says Betsy Fuller, owner of A Maker’s Post, a gift shop on Sullivan's Island. “One of my favorite movies, 'Shag,' is set there, and whenever I watch it, I daydream about going back to visit the beach town in the 1950s.”

While it might be synonymous with spring break crowds and families on summer vacation, this is a destination that always delivers beach fun—whether you’re hoping to spend the day by the water or keeping your schedule full from sunup to sundown.

25 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Pawleys Island

Relaxation is paramount when you’re visiting Pawleys Island, a barrier island beach town located between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. This is the type of place where time slows down, you’re encouraged to log off and enjoy the natural splendor of South Carolina’s coast. Spend your days crabbing, surfing (if the waves permit), fishing, golfing, or dining on classic Lowcountry staples like okra soup or shrimp and grits; just don’t forget to save time for the art of doing absolutely nothing. For a particularly romantic getaway, book a room at The Pelican Inn, an eight-bedroom bed-and-breakfast with a charming wraparound porch.

Folly Beach

"As someone who lives 10 minutes from Folly Beach, I certainly feel like I'm on vacation where I live,” says Katie Hirsch, the former director and chief curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. One of the closest beach towns to Charleston, it’s a great option for a day trip if you’re visiting the Holy City; just be sure to arrive on the earlier side if you want to beat the crowds and have an easier time parking. Plus, “if you're an early riser,” says Hirsch, you might want to “try finding shark teeth during a morning beach walk.” She also recommends grabbing some food at local favorite Jack of Cups Saloon for “unexpected bites inspired by Asian cuisine.”

Hilton Head Island

"Hilton Head Island is one of the best places to escape to if you want to be near a beach town but want a different environment from Charleston,” explains Hirsch. “It has modern touches but still keeps its Southern charm, appealing to both tourists and locals alike.”

The historic island is known for its golf courses and bike trails, but offers a wide variety of things to do. Gullah heritage tours, boat rides, paddleboarding, and birding are all itinerary contenders, and Hirsch also says the destination has “some of the best thrift stores.” If that’s up your alley, save an afternoon for exploring the goods at The Bargain Box, My Sister’s Closet, and The Church Mouse.

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island continues to be a favorite South Carolina beach town—especially for Charlestonians. “The beach is very relaxed, and the marsh views are second to none,” says Fuller. “If you’re visiting, I’d recommend taking a long beach walk [and exiting] at Station 22.5, so you can head into ‘town,’ aka Middle Street, to do a little shopping.” This part of Sullivan’s Island is popular for its various eateries; there’s everything from Mexican and barbecue to burgers and seafood. Fuller recommends getting a table at High Thyme or The Obstinate Daughter, then grabbing a nightcap at Dunleavy’s Pub.

12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast, According to Locals

Beaufort

The second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort is often compared to Charleston; it’s historic, beautiful, and filled with oak trees and amazing architecture. Its proximity to the water is also a perk. Like Charleston, you’ll have to drive a bit out of the main hub to get to the beach. If you don’t mind parking your beach chair by Battery Creek, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, make your way to the Sands Beach on the southern end of Port Royal. The beach is free to the public, and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including a boardwalk, an observation tower, and shark-teeth-hunting opportunities. For a true oceanfront spot, you’ll need to drive half an hour to Hunting Island State Park, where five miles of beautiful beaches live alongside marshes, a saltwater lagoon, and maritime forests.

Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet, or the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” makes this list for a few reasons. For starters, the historic fishing village has a feature known as MarshWalk. Spanning a half-mile along a natural saltwater estuary, the wooden boardwalk is home to several restaurants, including Bovine’s, Wahoo’s Fish House, and The Claw House. Head five minutes down the road and you'll arrive at the far-from-crowded Huntington Beach State Park, where you can find three miles of pristine sands to lie on. If you have some time, stop by Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127 site that also includes a zoo and sculpture garden.

Edisto Beach

Located on Edisto Island, Edisto Beach isn’t your typical, buzzy beach town—and that’s the beauty of it. There are no stoplights, high rises, or chain restaurants on the island, and the town wholeheartedly embraces the magic of slow living. Visitors can explore the 4.5 miles of coastline, take a dip in the ocean, and search for shells, shark teeth, and other fossils that may wash up on shore. Biking, kayaking, and dolphin tours are also popular vacation activities. But if there’s absolutely one thing you can’t miss while visiting Edisto Beach, it's the glorious sunsets. Bring a blanket to Edisto Beach State Park, sit back, and enjoy the show.