Scales of Justice Played Out in Madison County, Indiana
There is quite a bit of Medicare fraud occurring in the nation and there has been a coordinated attack on it. The fraud can be measured in the $billions. Commercial healthcare Insurance fraud is also a problem and insurance companies spend quite a bit of money fighting it which adds to their administrative fees of 15 and 20%.
99.9% of the time the theft goes into the pocket of the thieves. People get rich off of this stuff.
In Madison County Indiana, a school superintendent resigned her position. The reason? She took a student to a healthcare clinic seeking treatment for him because he had symptoms of Strep throat. Not a big deal and an act of kindness and charity.
The problem arises with her claiming him as her son and having her insurance pay the $233 bill. Except, this was not her son, she committed fraud, and her kindness and charity does not count.
The Madison County prosecutor Rodney J. Cummings who has tried “100 major felony and homicide jury trials” has charged the school superintendent with three felonies and one misdemeanor. Yes, it is an act of theft. I admit it and I am sure others will dispute my cavalier attitude here on crime and justice.
$233 to help a child and committing fraud to get him care is now worthy of three felony charges plus a misdemeanor? What was I thinking when the state news in Indiana is talking about $billions in Medicare, healthcare, and opinion fraud? Perhaps, not much is happening in Madison County just northeast of Indianapolis.
But then there is the plea deal going on here. One year of checking in with the county to make sure you are still behaving and admit to the crime. As measured against the $thousand which will be spent on court dates and administering the sentence for one year. Mr. Prosecutor, don’t you have something better to do?
Scrap the three felonies and misdemeanor. There is no evil act going on here and move on to other things. She can pay the insurance company back, court costs, get a stern warning, you will still look like you are cracking down on fraud, and also show you have a heart
Now here is a potential real felony: “Two days after accidentally firing his handgun into the floor of an Anderson restaurant, Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings acknowledges he could have done more to prevent the mishap.”
Awww, sorry folks, it was a new gun. Go back to eating your steaks (Texas Roadhouse).
“It was a new gun. I’ve only had it for a couple weeks, who noted he has carried a firearm for 36 years as a prosecutor and a police officer.”
Cummings told the newspaper he plans to have the gun examined by an armorer to ensure there are no mechanical problems. He also plans to buy a holster.
“I will not in the future have a round in the chamber, It’s just not worth the risk.”
Another JA wannabe cowboy.
I’d be okay with her getting – proportionately – the same punishment as Rick Scott got for his medicare fraud. That’d be up to maybe $200 in fines and a very large golden parachute.
There is a “defense of necessity” aspect to this. Strep throat can give you a fever of 107 degrees and kill a child in one day — why you always have take a child with a sore throat and a fever to the doctor.
PLANS to buy a holster!?!? You mean, he’s been carrying a handgun for 35 years in his pocket or waistband? I’m not familiar with guns, but it strikes me that most clothing isn’t designed for carrying around big chunks of dangerous metal. (Are these the same kind of people who whine about carrying too much loose change in their pockets? Sheesh!)
Hi Noni:
I have not seen you here in a while. Oh, he is licensed to carry as a DA and former police officer. The bigger picture is the discharge a weapon in a public place is not legal regardless of his governmental status. It more than likely is a true felony for which he will have no repercussions. The high school super faces 3 felonies and a misdemeanor charge for $233. There is an equivalency issue here. The former is more of an issue than the later. The former will go free and the latter will face harsh consequences.