Organ and tissue donation can save lives. As a result, news of transplants frequently make the evening news programs. However, issues regarding such donations are making the news in Illinois for reasons other than their abilities to save lives. Three people are now accused of fraud for actions allegedly taken regarding an unnamed donation network.
Investigators claim that two people, a 37-year-old and a 43-year-old, allegedly submitted invoices to the organization for medical procedures regarding donations that never occurred. Neither of these two people are physicians who would have been able to perform the procedures. A third person, a 41-year-old female, who faces six counts of wire fraud was an employee of the network.
It was the employee’s responsibility to review such submitted invoices and approve them. Investigators apparently believe that the worker was aware of the suspected fraudulent invoices and still improved them. Police claim that approximately $652,000 was defrauded from the organization. Reports indicate that the original two defendants, who now face three counts of wire fraud, received the payments which they then shared with the employee who approved the payments.
It is unclear at this time what attracted the attention of investigators to those now accused of fraud. However, because a conviction of wire fraud can result in 20 years in prison as well as a large fine, it is important that the rights of the accused are upheld throughout the criminal process. Failure to do so could result in a wrongful conviction that could have a catastrophic impact on the lives of the three Illinois people now facing criminal charges.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Three accused of scamming organ donor network”, , Aug. 22, 2014
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Three accused of scamming organ donor network”, , Aug. 22, 2014