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Press Release

Marion Man Pleads Guilty To Healthcare Fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Terry L. Stinnett, 68, of Marion, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court on December 8, 2015, to charges that he engaged in a scheme to steal from a health care program. Sentencing has been set for March 15, 2016. Stinnett will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

During his plea hearing, Stinnett admitted that he had submitted false and fraudulent claims in relation to his alleged performance of personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. Stinnett admitted to falsely billing the program between July 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014, when he purportedly rendered personal assistant services to a customer when, in fact, he had not been caring for the customer.

This prosecution is part of the fourth wave of the "Operation Home Alone" initiative announced on June 5, 2014, by United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, the Illinois State Police - Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William E. Coonan.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, or you may call 1.800.447.8477.

Updated December 9, 2015

Topic
Financial Fraud