Benton man convicted of health care program fraud

Randy G. Massey, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced last week that Daniel L. Johnson, 58, of Benton, was convicted by a federal jury in the U.S. District Court in Benton, of two counts of health care program fraud and acquitted of one count of mail fraud.

The offenses of conviction occurred in 2001 and 2002 in Franklin County. Johnson aided and abetted another in the submission of two
false claims each in the amount of $8,153.00 for United Mine Workers of America negotiated hearing aid benefits with an employee benefit plan.

As a result of the conviction, he faces up to 10 years in the Bureau of Prison, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, as well as mandatory restitution.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 23, at 10 a.m.

The investigation was conducted by Agents of the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Employee Benefits Security Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services OIG, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Postal Inspection Service, and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Quinley.