Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

http://www.bnd.com/2010/10/20/1445465/shiloh-chiropractor-admits-to.html

A Shiloh chiropractor admitted Tuesday to submitting more than $2 million worth of false claims to insurers.

John M. Hardimon, 40, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of health care fraud and one count of money laundering, according to Steve Wigginton, U.S. Attorney for southern Illinois.

According to court documents, Hardimon was paid $2,086,705 between 2006 and 2010 from 14 medical insurers, including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross, Blue Shield and several union welfare funds.

Hardimon was doing business as the Hardimon Chiropractic Center and Hardimon Chriopractic and Physical Therapy.

Each health-care fraud charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $4,173,411 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

The money-laundering charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $584,499 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

Hardimon was released after his plea on a $2 million unsecured bond pending his sentencing on Jan. 28 with U.S. District Judge Michael J. Reagan.

Investigators seized two homes and three new vehicles that Hardimon bought with cash in 2009 and 2010. The property could be used to pay restitution.