It's Been A Long Time Coming

... but we finally got to wrap the first of our big federal Medicaid cases. While it has been only over a year since they were federally indicted (props to Ali's mom's team!), my department has been dealing with these fools from the state perspective since early 2005.

The paper doesn't have it quite right on the sentencing part. With their previous federal convictions (yes, they've done time already!), they could face up to 25 years. Good thing I realized a long time ago, you can't believe everything you read in print.

Wichitan convicted of defrauding Medicaid
Wichita Business Journal - 6:36 PM CDT
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
by Shane T. Farley

A Wichita couple that operated a drug and alcohol counseling center were convicted of making more than $1.25 million in false Medicaid claims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Peggy Franklin-El, 50, was convicted on 69 counts including conspiracy to defraud Medicaid, health care fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

Johnnie Franklin-El, 53, was convicted on 22 counts including conspiracy, health care fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

The defendants operated a business called the Great Meeting is on for Your Success, Inc. at 1015 E. Ninth St. The business made false claims for 67 Medicaid beneficiaries who were supposed to have received community-based drug and alcohol treatment.

Among the claims were supposed treatment for infants and children 12 years and younger and people who had no known substance addiction. In one case, the beneficiary named in the claim was only 36 days old.

Sentencing is set for June 11. The couple face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on both the conspiracy and obstruction charges.

The Kansas Attorney General's office investigated and aided the U.S. attorney's office in prosecuting the case.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Peggy Franklin-El received a salary of $65,000 to serve as executive director and Johnnie Franklin-El was paid as much as $5,000 a week to serve as president and program director and to provide counseling.