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.

Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive..

No longer will I feel guilty if I have no loyalty to other Big 12 schools.

For my "real" bracket, I picked Texas to go to the finals against Oregon. Even though I left the Jayhawks behind in the final four. Even though I don't like coach "Ratboy" Barnes.

But for my loyalty? My Eastern bracket is toast. My Midwest one is on life support, with only Florida and Oregon left. Even then, I have Florida going out next.

My dream bracket is doing better, with only Tennessee really throwing a wrench in the works.

After two rounds: "real"= 35 right, 13 wrong "dream" 39 right, 9 wrong

Pity young Adrian, he's screwed. He had a Duke/Texas final, with Texas winning it all. Poor fool. He's from Texas, though. I still like him, anyway.

PS: tomorrow after work, we head to historic Dodge City-- via McPherson, Garden City, Great Bend, and Ft. Larned. D's going to rack up some stamps in his historical landmarks passport, and we all are going to rack up some serious family time. I'm *so* ready for the break from work!

PPS: I was so excited to see Kirk Hinrich in the local newspaper, cheering on KU in Chicago. Then one of the shoe girls goes all wonder killer and tells me he's getting married. Wah!

Best Description of My Job Yet

... found in an article talking about the best Super Bowl ads ever.

We still don’t know what EDS does, but it has 117,000 employees and just signed a $1.27 billion contract extension with the British Ministry of Defense — so the ad certainly didn’t hurt the company.

"Kansas is a different state today than it was just 20 days ago"

At least it is as related to concealed carry.

Working at the shoe store, we deal with the possibility of robbery. Fortunately, I did not have to experience the holdup at the store during the 2005 holiday season. Yet it is still recent enough to continue to effect my manager's behavior and job performance.

Earlier this week, we had a discussion as to whether we should display the "no guns allowed" placard. This led us to the debate of whether permitted gun owners are just as welcome a customer as the unarmed shoplifter (or potential shoplifter, for the PC readers).

On the whole, I'm a pretty liberal, "love everybody, man" hippie when it comes to gun control. However, should someone present a physical threat to me or those I love, for their own gain and my loss... then I have no qualms whatsoever in seeing them maimed for their transgression. It's even better if I'm able to lay the smackdown on them myself.

Of course, I realize wishing them all the way dead would ding my karma no small bit... but they would have put the kibosh on that themselves should they decide they can disrupt my world.

Anyway... long story finally getting back on topic-- I was happy to read in this article today:

Payco Phillips 66 owner Dean Yee was working when two youths entered. One pointed a gun at Yee, 39, and demanded money. Yee hesitated, and the youth demanded money a second time while continuing to point the gun at him, Gish said.

Meanwhile, Gish said, store customer Michael Mah, 57, drew a handgun and told the would-be robber to drop his weapon. Mah then shot the man once.

The shooter has an Oklahoma permit to carry a concealed weapon. Gish said Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison concluded this month that Kansas will accept the validity of concealed-carry permits issued in 22 other states, including Oklahoma, that require permit owners to meet requirements similar to those mandated by the state of Kansas.

Gish said the gun used by the would-be robber was found to be stolen.

He said the second teenager fled and was last seen running south on S.W. Randolph. Police haven't arrested that youth, who was described as a Hispanic male about 18 years of age who wore a black coat, white T-shirt, blue jeans and a red do-rag.

Kansas Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville and author of the law that took effect Jan. 1 allowing the issuance of concealed-carry permits, said the incident proves permit holders are capable of using lawful and deadly force in a reasonable way to protect other individuals.

"Hopefully this will put other criminals and thugs on notice that Kansas is a different state today than it was just 20 days ago," Journey said Monday.

And the irony of a Haysville (Wichita suburb) legislator behind the law is not lost on me!

Whoa!

Yoko Ono's 73 years old?

I hope my girls look as good at that age:

Kansas Breathes a Sigh of Relief

Last night was a pleasant mix of election coverage, KU basketball, and songs from the '80s. Winners all the way around.

Though the VH1 commentators on those "best of" shows have to go. They are freaking predictable and annoying. Chris Booker, I'm talking to you. Any of those fools that have appeared as experts on more than one made-for-VH 1 need to get a real job.

Oh yeah, and Bret Michaels? Be honest and admit you're bald under the hats and bandanas. Shave off the skullet and embrace the new century. Even Leif Garrett came around.

Conversely, David Coverdale has aged very handsomely. Why, hello there!

Decision Time

It would appear the time has come to fulfill an ultimatium laid out several years ago...

I told my new brother-in-law that I would have to hunt him down and harm him should he ever hurt my sister. Tonight I received a call they were splitting, straight to divorce, no trial separation.

While I usually try to use my powers only for good, the thought of deliberately jeapordizing my karma is a bit daunting. Then there's the whole downside of legal reprecussions.

So what's the lesson here, kiddies? At least for me... don't make vows while you're 28 and hormonally hopped up (since I was pregnant at the time) that your 36 year old butt doesn't want to fulfill. Even if it was made in jest. The family girl in me is spoiling for a fight. The sympathetic sister in me knows it's rarely that simple.

The good news is her own son is 21, and they didn't have any kids together. I am grateful she won't have to suffer the aggravation of joint custody. Still doesn't keep me from being sad for her. Also brings back a lot of feelings I've worked hard to move beyond.

It's weird to be the one watching this time around. Also annoying that I don't know what to do to help. Other than wait. Since I'm SO good with the patience, ya know.

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