14 charged in fraud scheme
A tip from one person who refused to participate in a health insurance fraud scheme has led to the arrests of 14 people accused of stealing more than $500,000 from the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan.
State Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday 10 state employees conspired with three Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi workers to submit fraudulent insurance claims. The 14th person was not employed by the state or the insurance company.
In return for approving the false claims, the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield workers got kickbacks from the state employees.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield administers the state and public school employees' self-funded insured plan.
A Blue Cross/Blue Shield spokesman couldn't be reached late Thursday.
But Hood said Blue Cross/Blue Shield alerted authorities to the scheme and has reimbursed the state-funded plan.
The 14 face charges of insurance fraud, mail fraud and false representation.
Insurance fraud carries a maximum three years in prison. Mail fraud carries a maximum five years in prison.
"They need to go to jail," Hood said. "They are taking from all of us."
Hood called the case the largest theft from the employee health plan since he was elected in 2003.
"We have a hard enough time now trying to get claims paid. We don't need people stealing from taxpayers," Hood said.
Showing posts with label Crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crime. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Two Democrats Charged in Tea Party Election Fraud
PONTIAC, Mich. (WJBK) - Two former leaders of the Oakland County Democratic Party are facing a total of nine felonies for allegedly forging election paperwork to get fake Tea Party candidates on November's ballot.
"It is not a partisan statement, and we need to make that very clear," said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.
Former Oakland County Democratic Chair Mike McGuinness and former Democratic Operations Director Jason Bauer face up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
"Some of the people didn't even know they were on the ballot till they began receiving delinquency notices of filings that were required as a candidate," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
The sheriff says 23 statewide races had questionable Tea Party candidates on the ballot and the investigation may go beyond Oakland County.
"It is not a partisan statement, and we need to make that very clear," said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.
Former Oakland County Democratic Chair Mike McGuinness and former Democratic Operations Director Jason Bauer face up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
"Some of the people didn't even know they were on the ballot till they began receiving delinquency notices of filings that were required as a candidate," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
The sheriff says 23 statewide races had questionable Tea Party candidates on the ballot and the investigation may go beyond Oakland County.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Morning carjacking in Madison results in manhunt and arrests
Two in custody in Madison carjacking
Two men are in custody following a carjacking in the Madison Burger King parking lot. The carjacking occurred at the fast-food restaurant at the intersection of Highway 463 and Galleria Parkway around 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The driver of the carjacked vehicle was put out at the intersection by two black men. They were making a turn against the light at Highway 463, and were hit by another car.
Master Sergeant Kevin Newman of the Madison Police Department says, "The Burger King Manager was leaving with a bank deposit when she was carjacked in the parking lot. One of the men was armed."
After the wreck, both men fled into a wooded area, but they were caught as they tried to elude police.
The names of the two in custody have not been identified. Madison Police say one is a juvenile. Both are black males. No weapon was recovered.
Officers from the city of Madison, Madison County Sheriff's Department, Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol assisted in the search.
Two men are in custody following a carjacking in the Madison Burger King parking lot. The carjacking occurred at the fast-food restaurant at the intersection of Highway 463 and Galleria Parkway around 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The driver of the carjacked vehicle was put out at the intersection by two black men. They were making a turn against the light at Highway 463, and were hit by another car.
Master Sergeant Kevin Newman of the Madison Police Department says, "The Burger King Manager was leaving with a bank deposit when she was carjacked in the parking lot. One of the men was armed."
After the wreck, both men fled into a wooded area, but they were caught as they tried to elude police.
The names of the two in custody have not been identified. Madison Police say one is a juvenile. Both are black males. No weapon was recovered.
Officers from the city of Madison, Madison County Sheriff's Department, Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol assisted in the search.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
DeLay Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
A Texas judge sentenced former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to a three-year prison term Monday for his role in a scheme that violated the state’s campaign finance laws and funneled corporate funds to candidates in 2002, the Associated Press reported.
A jury convicted DeLay in late November on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is expected to appeal.
DeLay was accused under a 2005 indictment of illegally funneling to state candidates $190,000 in corporate money collected by his state political action committee through the Republican National Committee in 2002. State laws prohibit such funds from being used for political campaigns.
DeLay denied wrongdoing in the case. The AP reported that his attorney had sought probation, rather than a prison term.
Texas Judge Pat Priest could have sentenced DeLay to life in prison. Instead, DeLay was sentenced to three years in prison on the conspiracy charge and 10 years of probation on the money-laundering charge, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Read More
A jury convicted DeLay in late November on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is expected to appeal.
DeLay was accused under a 2005 indictment of illegally funneling to state candidates $190,000 in corporate money collected by his state political action committee through the Republican National Committee in 2002. State laws prohibit such funds from being used for political campaigns.
DeLay denied wrongdoing in the case. The AP reported that his attorney had sought probation, rather than a prison term.
Texas Judge Pat Priest could have sentenced DeLay to life in prison. Instead, DeLay was sentenced to three years in prison on the conspiracy charge and 10 years of probation on the money-laundering charge, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Read More
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Madison County woman charged in insurance fraud
A Madison County woman is behind bars today facing charges she committed insurance fraud, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.
Johnnetta White, 23, of Camden, was arrested by the Madison County Sheriff's Office today following an investigation by the Mississippi Attorney General's Public Integrity Division/Insurance Fraud Unit.
White was indicted in Madison County on a single count of Insurance Fraud after she allegedly filed a fraudulent automobile insurance claim.
White was under house arrest at the time of the offense for a 2009 conviction in Madison County for embezzlement.
CL
Johnnetta White, 23, of Camden, was arrested by the Madison County Sheriff's Office today following an investigation by the Mississippi Attorney General's Public Integrity Division/Insurance Fraud Unit.
White was indicted in Madison County on a single count of Insurance Fraud after she allegedly filed a fraudulent automobile insurance claim.
White was under house arrest at the time of the offense for a 2009 conviction in Madison County for embezzlement.
CL
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bond Denied For Mother Charged In Newborn's Death
Police: Baby Was Found Inside Suitcase
A Madison County Circuit Court judge on Monday denied bond for a 41-year-old woman charged in the death of her newborn son.
Sheila Ealey is charged with murder, court officials said. She was recently indicted by a Madison County grand jury.
Madison County Sheriff's Department investigators believe Ealey gave birth to the boy in July. She's accused of wrapping the baby in a plastic bag and putting him in a suitcase, which was found behind Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Flora, police said.
Related Posts: Coroner: Baby Found Dead In Suitcase Behind Flora Church
Arrest made in dead baby case
Madison County DA: Baby was alive when dumped in Flora
Bond set in Madison baby death case
A Madison County Circuit Court judge on Monday denied bond for a 41-year-old woman charged in the death of her newborn son.
Sheila Ealey is charged with murder, court officials said. She was recently indicted by a Madison County grand jury.
Madison County Sheriff's Department investigators believe Ealey gave birth to the boy in July. She's accused of wrapping the baby in a plastic bag and putting him in a suitcase, which was found behind Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Flora, police said.
Related Posts: Coroner: Baby Found Dead In Suitcase Behind Flora Church
Arrest made in dead baby case
Madison County DA: Baby was alive when dumped in Flora
Bond set in Madison baby death case
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Madison man arrested for alleged investment scam
A Mississippi businessman has been arrested by FBI agents on 12 counts of wire fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.
Federal authorities say 47-year-old Jeffrey L. Walker of Madison allegedly devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money from investors by making false representations relating to a Chinese resort project his companies were supposedly developing.
Federal agents said Walker allegedly had investors in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida and Arizona make bank wire transfers to one of his companies and he converted parts of the money for his own personal use.
Read More: MBJ
Federal authorities say 47-year-old Jeffrey L. Walker of Madison allegedly devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money from investors by making false representations relating to a Chinese resort project his companies were supposedly developing.
Federal agents said Walker allegedly had investors in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida and Arizona make bank wire transfers to one of his companies and he converted parts of the money for his own personal use.
Read More: MBJ
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
CL: Alabama sending man back to Mississippi to face charges in slaying
Mississippi will get the first chance to convict killing spree suspect James Cobb Hutto, according to Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.
Smith said officials in Alabama, where Hutto has been held since his Sept. 17 arrest near Auburn, have agreed to transfer the 39-year-old former mixed martial arts fighter to Mississippi for prosecution by Nov. 4.
Hutto, a Jasper, Ala., resident, is accused of the Sept. 13 slaying of 81-year-old Ethel Simpson of Clinton. In Alabama, Hutto being held on a murder charge for the death of his great-aunt Virginia Rardon two days later. He also faces an assault charge for allegedly attacking Mark Ambers Cox, 56, of Opelika, on Sept. 17.
CL
Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
A Sad Ending To The Story
Smith said officials in Alabama, where Hutto has been held since his Sept. 17 arrest near Auburn, have agreed to transfer the 39-year-old former mixed martial arts fighter to Mississippi for prosecution by Nov. 4.
Hutto, a Jasper, Ala., resident, is accused of the Sept. 13 slaying of 81-year-old Ethel Simpson of Clinton. In Alabama, Hutto being held on a murder charge for the death of his great-aunt Virginia Rardon two days later. He also faces an assault charge for allegedly attacking Mark Ambers Cox, 56, of Opelika, on Sept. 17.
CL
Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
A Sad Ending To The Story
Thursday, October 14, 2010
2 arrested in child-porn case
A mother and son were arrested on child pornography charges Tuesday.
Keyes Pierce, 28, was charged with four counts of possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $1 million, or $250,000 per count, by Municipal Judge Dale Danks Jr.
Pierce's mother, Lisa Louise Pierce, 52, who lives in Florence, was charged with one count of accessory after the fact of possession of child pornography. Her bond was set at $50,000.
Both were being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Canton.
They were arrested after Madison police and members of the state attorney general's Internet Crimes Against Children unit served a search warrant at 388 Sundial Road in an investigation of alleged possession of child pornography.
CL
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| Keyes Pierce |
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| Lisa Pierce |
Both were being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Canton.
They were arrested after Madison police and members of the state attorney general's Internet Crimes Against Children unit served a search warrant at 388 Sundial Road in an investigation of alleged possession of child pornography.
CL
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
CL: Ex-Canton official avoids jail time for animal cruelty
Judge fines Alonzo Esco, orders community service
Former Canton animal control officer Alonzo Esco will get no jail time for two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and dumping.
Justice Court Judge Tommy Faulkner ordered Esco on Wednesday afternoon to perform 120 hours of community service with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.
Esco has 30 days to pay a $500 fine for each count and $320 in court costs.
Faulkner suspended the 120 days in jail that Esco could have served.
With two defense attorneys, Esco gave no comments and asked no questions during the sentencing. Faulkner accepted a handwritten statement that he expected from Esco 59 days ago.
“Mr. Esco has had a lot on his plate this year and he’s glad to have this chapter behind him,” said Esco’s attorney, Trey O’Cain.
Esco is suspected of shooting more than 100 animals and dumping the carcases in a Canton creek and possibly other sites.
Read More: CL
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| Alonzo Esco |
Justice Court Judge Tommy Faulkner ordered Esco on Wednesday afternoon to perform 120 hours of community service with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.
Esco has 30 days to pay a $500 fine for each count and $320 in court costs.
Faulkner suspended the 120 days in jail that Esco could have served.
With two defense attorneys, Esco gave no comments and asked no questions during the sentencing. Faulkner accepted a handwritten statement that he expected from Esco 59 days ago.
“Mr. Esco has had a lot on his plate this year and he’s glad to have this chapter behind him,” said Esco’s attorney, Trey O’Cain.
Esco is suspected of shooting more than 100 animals and dumping the carcases in a Canton creek and possibly other sites.
Read More: CL
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Teen charged in wreck that killed MRA teacher out on bond
Ethan Vansice, the 19-year-old indicted on a manslaughter charge in the death of a Madison-Ridgeland Academy teacher, is out on bond after turning himself in Monday at the Hinds County Sheriff's Department.
Bond for Vansice already had been set last week at $100,000.
"He came in shortly before 10 a.m," Lt. Jeffery Scott, spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, said.
On Sept. 28, a Hinds County grand jury indicted Vansice in the Aug. 17 death of Leigh Anne Ward, 35, of Jackson.
The indictment states, "Ethan Vansice ... did unlawfully and feloniously, without authority of law, kill and slay Leigh A. Ward, a human being, by culpable negligence in the operation of an automobile."
On Monday, a woman who answered the phone at Vansice's north Jackson home and identified herself as his grandmother said she had "no comment."
Vansice is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Read more: CL
Bond for Vansice already had been set last week at $100,000.
"He came in shortly before 10 a.m," Lt. Jeffery Scott, spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, said.
On Sept. 28, a Hinds County grand jury indicted Vansice in the Aug. 17 death of Leigh Anne Ward, 35, of Jackson.
The indictment states, "Ethan Vansice ... did unlawfully and feloniously, without authority of law, kill and slay Leigh A. Ward, a human being, by culpable negligence in the operation of an automobile."
On Monday, a woman who answered the phone at Vansice's north Jackson home and identified herself as his grandmother said she had "no comment."
Vansice is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Read more: CL
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
CL: Canton police probe burglaries
Chief Vickie McNeill said homes and churches have been targeted by criminals.
“It takes a very small person who wants to burglarize, and when you go after a church, you have no substance as far as I’m concerned,” McNeill said.
CL
Monday, September 27, 2010
Police warn residents after Whisper Lake children are approached by motorist
Madison police are warning residents to be wary of unfamiliar vehicles in their neighborhoods after a report of a motorist talking with children at the Whisper Lake section of Annandale Saturday.
According to witnesses, a driver in an older model white van resembling a construction van pulled alongside three children out walking and began to ask them if they were going to the clubhouse to swim. Madison Police Capt. Robert Sanders said the three became uncomfortable with the questions and ran to a nearby home to report the incident. The driver continued driving on Whisper Lake Avenue toward Whisper Lake Boulevard.
The motorist was described as a bald man in his late 30s to early 40s with no facial hair.
Similar situations of a motorist approaching children happened in July in Bradford Place and Sherbourne subdivisions. A Jackson man, Ricky Wayne Davis, 49, was arrested last month and charged with two counts of attempted enticement of a child and two counts of attempted kidnapping. He is in the Madison County Detention Center on $2 million bond.
Anyone with information about this or with concerns should call the Madison Police Department at (601) 856-6111.
MCH
According to witnesses, a driver in an older model white van resembling a construction van pulled alongside three children out walking and began to ask them if they were going to the clubhouse to swim. Madison Police Capt. Robert Sanders said the three became uncomfortable with the questions and ran to a nearby home to report the incident. The driver continued driving on Whisper Lake Avenue toward Whisper Lake Boulevard.
The motorist was described as a bald man in his late 30s to early 40s with no facial hair.
Similar situations of a motorist approaching children happened in July in Bradford Place and Sherbourne subdivisions. A Jackson man, Ricky Wayne Davis, 49, was arrested last month and charged with two counts of attempted enticement of a child and two counts of attempted kidnapping. He is in the Madison County Detention Center on $2 million bond.
Anyone with information about this or with concerns should call the Madison Police Department at (601) 856-6111.
MCH
MC Herald: Ridgeland teen arrested on Madison burglary charge
Brandon Lambert, 17, of 102 Chicot Cove, is being charged as an adult with one count of house burglary, possession of burglary tools and a switched car tag, according to a police statement.
He is being held at the Madison County Detention Center pending an initial appearance Monday. No bond has been set.
MCH
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Suspect convicted on bribery charge
A suspect on a drug charge in Madison County was convicted of trying to bribe a Madison County sheriff's deputy.
Dennis Jerome Beal was arrested on the bribery charge Feb. 5 after he delivered $4,000 to a deputy, expecting to have the drug charges pending against him dismissed, a sheriff's statement said.
Beal was given the maximum sentence of 10 years as a habitual offender, and the eight years of probation he was serving for a previous conviction was revoked.
He is facing trial on a sale of cocaine charge. If convicted, he will face a potential 120 additional years.
CL
Dennis Jerome Beal was arrested on the bribery charge Feb. 5 after he delivered $4,000 to a deputy, expecting to have the drug charges pending against him dismissed, a sheriff's statement said.
Beal was given the maximum sentence of 10 years as a habitual offender, and the eight years of probation he was serving for a previous conviction was revoked.
He is facing trial on a sale of cocaine charge. If convicted, he will face a potential 120 additional years.
CL
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Sad Ending To The Story
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| Ethel Simpson |
Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin was tight-lipped today on details of the investigation into the killing of a woman believed to be 81-year-old Ethel Winstead Simpson of Clinton.
“I’m not going to comment on any aspects of the investigation,” he said, citing concerns that what he might say would adversely influence a future grand jury or trial jury considering charges against 39-year-old James Cobb Hutto of Jasper, Ala.
Law officers believe Hutto killed Simpson late Sept. 13 or early Sept. 14. Simpson was last seen the night Sept. 13 at Riverwalk Casino in Vicksburg wearing a red shirt and khaki pants. She was with Hutto, a convicted sex offender and kidnapper.
An examination of dental records today will provide information needed to positively identify the body.
Read the entire article at the Clarion Ledger Online
Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
Friday, September 17, 2010
Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
 |
| Ethel Simpson |
Ethel Simpson visits the Baptist Healthplex Center on the Mississippi College campus every day. Monday she had a fender bender in the parking lot. She went back inside and was approached by a stranger who had signed in using a guest pass. 39 year old James Cobb Hutto.
WLBT obtained pictures of the wanted man. He is wearing a black T-shirt and signing in for a guest pass. We ask if she was targeted? "It's difficult to say but a good strong possibility," replied Chief Don Byington during a Thursday morning news conference.
Police say Hutto befriended the woman. He and Mrs. Simpson are seen leaving the healthplex together, with Hutto behind the wheel of her Mercedes. That sent up a red flag. An employee was on the last people to talk to her around 4:30 Monday afternoon. "She said she felt sorry for him. She said I really think he's on the up and up," according to Jan Cossitt.
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| James Hutto |
Despite warnings, the elderly woman winds up with Hutto at a Vicksburg casino Monday night. They were last seen leaving the casino together around 11;40 p.m. What she didn't know was, this man has a violent criminal history.
"At present he is wanted for not registering as a sex offender." The Alabama man's rap sheet reveals a troubling history. Criminal trespassing, domestic violence, 1st degree kidnapping and felony sexual abuse. According to Jan Cossitt, "He just prayed on a big hearted elderly lady, he is an excellent con man apparently."
The last known sighting was at 3:00 in the morning. The Mercedes was seen traveling east on I-20. No one knows if Ethel Simpson was in the car.
Simpson's Mercedes is a silver C 240 4-door model, with a broken rear tail light on the driver's side. The tag number is HXH 426.
Anyone with information about Ethel Simpson or James Cobb Hutto's whereabouts should contact the Clinton Police Department 601-924-5252.
UPDATE: James Cobb Hutto, the man sought in connection with the disappearance of an elderly Clinton woman, has been arrested in Alabama. There is still no sign of the missing woman, Ethel Simpson. Hutto was driving her car when he was found.
WLBT
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Does it really matter that they were stupid?
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| Jamie and Gladys Scott |
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| Chokwe Lumumba |
Hundreds Rally For Release of Miss. Women,
Nearly 200 protesters marched to the governor's mansion and the Mississippi Capitol to call for the release of two sisters who are serving life sentences for a robbery that netted $11.
Representatives of the Mississippi ACLU and several other groups joined civil rights veterans in the effort to get a pardon for Jamie and Gladys Scott, who have served nearly 16 years in prison for the 1993 crime in Scott County.
The sisters' attorney Chokwe Lumumba met Wednesday with one of Gov. Haley Barbour's staff attorneys about their petition for a pardon or a reduced sentence. Barbour's office has said the governor is waiting to receive a recommendation from the state Parole Board.
WJTV
Monday, September 13, 2010
Yazoo County Sheriff's Son Faces Pot Charge
Sheriff Vaughan Turns Case Over To MBN
The son of Yazoo County Sheriff Tommy Vaughan is facing charges after an undercover drug sting, county officials said.
Investigators with the Sheriff's Department recorded a marijuana buy on videotape as part of the undercover operation, District Attorney Steven Waldrop said. On Friday, Thomas E. Vaughan Jr., 26, was arrested and charged with the sale of marijuana, Waldrop said.
When Sheriff Vaughan was informed that his son had been arrested, he immediately ordered that the case be turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety, Waldrop said.
"He then called me and said that no one is above the law and he wanted his son and this case treated like any other case," Waldrop said. "He is devastated and going through a rough time, but he was resolute that his son gets no special treatment."
The younger Vaughan was transported to the Madison County Detention Center.
WAPT
The son of Yazoo County Sheriff Tommy Vaughan is facing charges after an undercover drug sting, county officials said.
Investigators with the Sheriff's Department recorded a marijuana buy on videotape as part of the undercover operation, District Attorney Steven Waldrop said. On Friday, Thomas E. Vaughan Jr., 26, was arrested and charged with the sale of marijuana, Waldrop said.
When Sheriff Vaughan was informed that his son had been arrested, he immediately ordered that the case be turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety, Waldrop said.
"He then called me and said that no one is above the law and he wanted his son and this case treated like any other case," Waldrop said. "He is devastated and going through a rough time, but he was resolute that his son gets no special treatment."
The younger Vaughan was transported to the Madison County Detention Center.
WAPT
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