Former Health Management Associates (HMA) Executive Indicted for Obstruction-Related Offense
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 26, 2013 |
FORT MYERS, FL—Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Joshua S. Putter (48, Needham, Massachusetts) with destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Putter made his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court today, and was released on bond. A status conference hearing is set for December 9, 2013, before the Honorable John E. Steele. The case has been scheduled for the January 2014 trial calendar.
According to the indictment, on or about October 7, 2008, Putter knowingly falsified, or made false entry in a document, with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence any matter within the jurisdiction of any department of agency of the United States.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus and Chief Assistant United States Attorney Nicole H. Waid.