01/08/2009

News / ANDERSON MAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING THE INDIANA MEDICAID PROGRAM OF OVER $900,000

Timothy M. Morrison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced that DENNIS LENNARTZ, 55, Anderson, Indiana, was charged with defrauding the Indiana Medicaid program, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and The Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

The information alleges that beginning in April 2006, DENNIS LENNARTZ, knowingly defrauded the Indiana Medicaid program of $964,852.59, by billing for services not actually rendered. In furtherance of his scheme, LENNARTZ concealed his involvement from Indiana Medicaid by billing under the provider number of another company.

"This case demonstrates the commitment of the Office of Inspector General working with our Federal and State law enforcement partners to protect our Nation's vulnerable Medicaid recipients," said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge for the Chicago region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General which covers the State of Indiana. "Defrauding the Medicaid program isn't fair to the taxpayers who deserve accountability," said Attorney General Steve Carter. "Even more tragically, though, it wastes money that would otherwise provide healthcare for those who can't afford to pay."

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who is prosecuting the case for the government, LENNARTZ faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum possible fine of $250,000. An initial hearing has been scheduled for January 20, 2009 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The information is an allegation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial or by guilty plea.




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