-
SNAP benefits are needed, but fraud is an issue
One of the major benefits that was affected by the recent government shutdown was the lack of SNAP benefits for thousands of Americans. These are what were commonly referred to as Food Stamps in past years. No one wants to see anyone go hungry, especially children. Most of us know that many citizens in this
-
Officials warn locals of three fraud schemes
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Three distinct fraud schemes surfaced in recent days prompting state and local officials to warn residents. UCC filing scam For those with Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, a subtle scam disguised as bureaucratic routine emerged. According to Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, residents with UCC-1 financing statements have been
-
Kentucky’s older adults now losing millions to fraud
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION A new report from the Federal Trade Commission found older adults nationwide lost nearly $2 billion to fraud. The combined median loss reported by people ages 60 and older was $650, compared with $450s for ages 18-59. For people 80 and older, the average individual loss was more than
-
Kentucky man sentenced for COVID relief fraud
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LEXINGTON — A Lexington man has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for obtaining Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) under false pretenses, U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV announced Monday. Neal Harris, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for eight counts of wire fraud. His co-defendant, Kelly Harris,
-
Floyd County company agrees to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations of fraudulent billing for respiratory devices
LEXINGTON — Oxygen Plus Inc., a provider of durable medical equipment based in Floyd County, has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid for respiratory devices that patients did not need or use, in contravention of those programs’ requirements. According to an
-
Martin County Sheriff’s Office cracks down on solicitation fraud
Prestonsburg man targets businesses in Martin, Floyd and Johnson counties BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a man accused of fraudulently soliciting donations from local businesses, claiming that his wife was seriously ill and he needed funds to cover medical expenses. Police caught up with the fundraiser, Wallace
-
Former county attorney, wife plead guilty to fraud
BY ROGER SMITHMOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Former Lawrence County Attorney Michael T. Hogan and his wife Joy Hogan, who served as his legal secretary, pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud in U.S. District Court. Michael Hogan also pleaded guilty to federal program theft. The Hogans admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud by issuing “bonus”
-
Man sentenced in wire and health care fraud
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT PIKEVILLE — A Pikeville businessman will serve 125 months in prison for wire and health care fraud. Eugene Sisco, III, 36, of Pikeville, was sentenced Tuesday after a jury convicted him in November 2021. Evidence came out in the trial that Sisco operated several medication-assisted treatment clinics in Pike, Floyd, and Harlan
-
Car dealership owner sentenced for fraud
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Wayne County, W.Va., man was sentenced to six years in prison in a warranty fraud scheme. James “Jimmy” Pinson, 46, of Prichard, formerly of Crum, was convicted in December by a federal jury of wire fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiring to commit money laundering. He
