Former Virginia Birth Injury Fund claims manager indicted for embezzlement
A former claims manager for the Virginia Birth Injury Fund has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly embezzling more than $800,000.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said Iris F. Allen, 44, of Richmond, was charged with 12 counts of embezzlement; 11 counts of health care fraud; three counts of aggravated identity theft; and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
Neil H. MacBride, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and state Attorney General William C. Mims made the announcement after Allen’s arrest this morning.
The maximum penalty for each count of embezzlement, health care fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The maximum penalty for each count of aggravated identity theft is a mandatory term of two years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other prison term imposed.
Allen was arrested by state police July 15 on an embezzlement charge related to her duties for the Birth Injury Fund.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
It has moved from victims rights to: what is the least we can do to the defendant, get away with it and claim it was the state attorney who offered it to the court.
This woman stole money from disabled children. She worked in an office of 8-9 employees. The executive director failed to properly oversee the daily operations of the office and personnel. The executive director should be fired for this incident. Recent audits have shown that this program has been failed to implement proper financial controls,and in some cases removed controls that would have prevented this theft. To further insult the children the Birth Injury Fund has decided to further reduce benefits to the children it is legally bound to help. So an employee steals money from the children then the Fund takes away medically necessary benefits? What a travesty! I don’t know which crime is worse?
The Fed’s always get their money. I have noticed that many local Virginia courts are now doing something they call docketing it in the clerk’s office. Some are even just making the defendants pay the deductible and anything else that may be owed like to an insurance company they leave it to them to get it through the civil process.
Too bad Bill McKelway didn’t have the pleasure of writing this story. His coverage of the Birth Injury Fund has been exemplary. Not that Frank Green isn’t, but McKelway has really stayed on top of this issue and families across the Commonwealth who deal with children with disabilities trust his reporting.
This is terrible!!I hope the Governor is examining all employees and the individuals who oversee this—since he appointed them! Disabled children should not have to suffer due to the programs incompetency. The Children are the true victims in all of this!!
Please tell me this woman will have to pay this money back??
Where was the checks and balances during this great heist??
No wonder the state is broke!!!
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement