Five people killed in Fostoria, Ohio house fire, including Austin Rainey, a Bascom Joint Fire District cadet and his mother, father, younger brother and younger sister. Two dogs were also found dead in the home.

FOSTORIA, Ohio (WNWO/AP) — State Fire Marshal investigators have determined the origin of the fire to be on the first floor of the home, on the south-facing side.

The cause has been ruled undetermined, however, investigators have not ruled out electrical or heating related sources as potential causes.

A funeral home says 19-year-old firefighter trainee Austin Rainey, his parents and two younger siblings also in the farmhouse fire Thursday just outside Fostoria. They've been identified as 45-year-old James Rainey, 41-year-old Jodi Depinet-Rainey, 15-year-old Cody Rainey and 7-year-old Jessica Rainey.

Authorities say the fire was so intense that the first firefighters to arrive could not get inside to save the victims.====================
FOSTORIA, OHIO — Five bodies were recovered from a home that was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning in Seneca County.

Authorities identified one of the victims as 19-year-old Austin Rainey, a Bascom Joint Fire District cadet and recent graduate of Hopewell-Loudon High School.
Two other adults and two children also perished in the fire at 10331 W. Ohio 18, just east of Fostoria. The other victims are believed to be Rainey’s mother, father, younger brother and younger sister. Two dogs were also found dead in the home.

The identities of the remaining victims were being withheld Thursday pending confirmation by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

Three agents from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are helping investigate to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

When Austin Rainey’s body was removed from the fire scene, it was draped in an American flag and escorted by Bascom firefighters and the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office to the intersection of Township Road 26 and Ohio 18. From there, the convoy was joined by the Tiffin Fire Department as the body was taken to Engle-Shook Funeral Home in Tiffin.

During a press briefing late Thursday afternoon, Seneca County Public Information Officer Dean Henry said the tragedy has hit Bascom’s fire department “very hard.”

“This is a very small community, a very small department — all of these people knew one another,” Henry said. “Some of these firefighters are second- and third-generation firefighters. It’s not just something they do, it’s a part of their life. It’s very difficult.”

Rainey joined Bascom’s fire department after graduating from high school and was scheduled to take his firefighter exam on Nov. 12.

Kelly Stincer, public information officer with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, said the first 911 call came from inside the home at about 3:46 a.m. Thursday when the daughter contacted an emergency dispatch center from her father’s cellphone.

According to Fostoria Police Division reports, two more 911 calls came in at about 3:53 a.m. Thursday. Screaming could reportedly be heard in the background of those calls.

Another caller reported the structure was fully engulfed and informed the dispatcher that residents may have been inside the home.

When the first units arrived, firefighters began an exterior-only attack, meaning it was not safe for them to venture inside the home.

“It was fully involved. There was a lot of fire coming out of the front — a lot of heavy smoke,” said Bascom Fire Chief Mark DeVault. “There was a lot of fire. It just took a while to get it knocked out.”

After the fire was extinguished, officials said the structural integrity of the home was compromised, which made it difficult for investigators to search for the victims.

“… The structure of the home was so unsteady that they had to stabilize it in order to be able to do their job,” Stincer said. “They were stabilizing it so they could extract (the victims) without it all crashing down because they needed to transport the bodies out of the home.”

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) is assisting the State Fire Marshal’s Office in its investigation, using a three-dimensional imaging device known as FARO, which allows authorities to see a detailed diagram of the structure.

Officials said the blaze is not being investigated as a homicide.

“This is not a crime scene, and the existence of BCI should not be construed as any suggestion that this is a crime scene or that arson is involved,” Henry said. “They are here for technical assistance.”

Four fire departments responded to the initial call, prompting authorities to close a large portion of Ohio 18.

Hopewell-Loudon Local School had a two-hour delay as a result of the fire, and the Seneca County Opportunity Center closed for the day.

Firefighters from the Fostoria, New Riegel, Kansas, Attica, Bloomville and Old Fort assisted Bascom, as well as personnel from Seneca County and Bascom EMS, the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and the American Red Cross.

Thursday night, about 70 community members gathered at Hopewell-Loudon High School to mourn the family.

David Alvarado, superintendent of Hopewell-Loudon, said the two youths who were killed attended the district school. Counselors were brought in to help students deal with their grief.

Here is the info listed in Austin Rainey's facebook pages:

Intro

18, love football. Taken by the best 10-28-15😍😘💜💙🔐 Briana was Present here😍😘💙💜🔐

• Cashier at Fostoria, Ohio
• Went to Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers
• Went to Hopewell-Loudon High School
• Lives in Fostoria, Ohio
• In a relationship with Briana Lynn Hepp
• From Fostoria, Ohio
• Joined November 2014

DEADLY ARSON: The fire that killed two children (Devon Major, 12, and Erik Dupree, 16) and injured a third was intentionally set Wednesday night in Laflin in Luzerne County, PA

LAFLIN, PA — The blaze that killed two children and injured a third was intentionally set Wednesday night, and a Wilkes-Barre man is in custody for unrelated crimes, authorities say.

The same man has a history of trouble at the home that burned.

Officials ruled the fire an arson at a press conference Thursday at the State Police barracks in Wyoming.

Meanwhile, State Police searched a Wilkes-Barre home as part of their investigation into the fire.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, Luzerne County 911 received a report of a blaze at 60 Oakwood Drive. State Police arrived and found three boys inside the residence.

Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said during Thursday’s press conference that a juvenile made a 911 call, reporting an individual who was known to the family was on the back porch but was not supposed to be on the property.

The juvenile told a dispatcher he and his brothers were in their bedroom on the second floor and could see the individual outside.

At 7:15 p.m., another 911 call came in, reporting a fire at the residence.

Two boys — a 16-year-old and a 12-year-old — were pronounced dead at the scene by the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office. The third — an 8-year-old — was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Luzerne County Deputy Coroner Dan Hughes identified the dead boys as Devon Major, 12, and Erik Dupree, 16. The cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning due to the fire, Hughes said.

The third boy’s condition would not be released Thursday night, Sanguedolce said.

Luzerne County property records show the Laflin property is owned by Susan M. Major.

Sanguedolce said that a person of interest was in custody on an unrelated, pending warrant. He would not identify that person. However, police on Thursday morning took a Wilkes-Barre man into custody who has a history with the home.

Preston Daquon Bonnett, 26, was arrested on charges that he had devices used for manufacturing counterfeit credit cards at the residence July 10.

According to an affidavit for that case, Bonnett was in the home after being invited by Tyla Griffin, who had been staying in Major’s basement since June 16. Major, who knew Bonnett, did not grant permission for him to stay.

Major told police she had enough of Griffin and Bonnett and began moving their belongings from the basement to the first floor, with the pair screaming at her and refusing to leave. Major told police she noticed Bonnett had a credit card machine and various credit cards in his belongings, along with his state ID card and blank credit cards.

A witness who was at the home at the time, Cyrus Solomon, said Griffin broke the front window of the home with her hand before fleeing the scene in July.

Both Bonnett and Griffin are facing charges in connection with the alleged counterfeiting operation, including felonies.

More recently, Bonnett was accused of vandalizing the home. On Oct. 14, he allegedly threw a beer bottle through a window. His citation for that case was filed less than a week ago. It orders him to pay $662, with $200 of it going to Major as restitution.

Bonnett, 173 Jones St., Wilkes-Barre, has not been charged in connection to the deadly fire.

The investigation into the blaze led to a home at 18 Hillside St., Wilkes-Barre. Trooper James Shubzda, a forensic crime scene expert, confirmed the Laflin connection Thursday, but could not elaborate.

Neighbor: House didn’t fit

A woman who lives across the street said the home at 60 Oakwood Drive stood apart from the largely affluent, well-manicured neighborhood.

“There were always people going in and out,” said the neighbor, who did not wish to be identified. “The house looked like it was abandoned, with the window smashed in.”

The woman said the residence was previously owned by “hard-working” couple Sam and Sue Bellanca, who both recently passed away, before being taken over by their daughter, also named Sue.

An obituary for a Laflin woman named Assunta “Sue” Bellanca published in the Times Leader in April 2016 seems to corroborate the neighbor’s statements. Bellanca’s obituary lists a Laflin woman named Susan Major as her daughter, and lists grandsons with first names matching those of the deceased as confirmed by Hughes. However, Erik’s last name is listed as Major and not Dupree in the obituary.

The neighbor said it seemed as though there was more smoke than flames during Wednesday’s fire. She said she saw bodies being removed from the house, with one being left in the front yard for a lengthy period of time.

Major arrived at one point, the neighbor said, and was visibly distressed. The neighbor said she saw State Police lead Major away, but it is unclear if she was taken for questioning.

“We’re shocked by what happened,” the neighbor said of the fire. “If Sam and Sue are looking down from heaven, I don’t even know what they’d be thinking.”

Storm cleanup worker Brian Keith Wilmoth, 31, of Wilkes County, an employee of Asplundh Tree Expert Co. and Energy United, died as he was cutting a tree that had fallen on power lines when the lines sprang up and threw the tree back on top of him.

There is clearly no God, as he took the life of this preacher and left his wife and 3 children without a father.  God sucks.

ELLENDALE, NC – The first reported fatality related to Monday’s severe weather occurred Wednesday after a man was killed by a tree in Alexander County.


Brian Keith Wilmoth, 31, of Wilkes County, was cutting a tree that had fallen on power lines when the lines sprang up and threw the tree back on top of him.


Wilmoth was an employee of Asplundh Tree Expert Co. and Energy United. The incident occurred near the Ellendale community in Alexander County.


The accident occurred just before 4:30 a.m. at an intersection west of Taylorsville, according to an Associated Press report.



Severe storm slams Catawba Valley

Severe weather impacted the area late Monday afternoon causing about 40,000 power outages in Burke, Catawba, Caldwell and Alexander counties.

Gov. Roy Cooper responded to Wilmoth’s death in a press release sent by his office regarding storm damage and recovery efforts.


“We are all saddened by this tragic death, and it reminds us to be thankful to workers who handle difficult cleanup work after storms, especially around downed power lines, trees and other hazards,” Cooper said via the release.


“Communities are still picking up the pieces from these strong storms and our state experts are on the ground to help.”


Local governments are continuing their efforts to assess damage from the storm.


Catawba County Communications and Marketing Director Amy McCauley said in a phone interview that county officials had looked at 63 of the 69 homes where they received reports of damage Wednesday.


“About a dozen secondary roads” were still closed in four counties, including Catawba and Caldwell counties, according the governor’s office release.


Two days after the storms, local organizations are still providing help to those affected.


The Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Valdese Recreation Center.


Emergency management officials requested the shelter be opened, according to a Red Cross press release.


The shelter that the Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross was running at South Caldwell High School closed Wednesday morning, Red Cross Regional Communications Officer Jerri Jameson said in a phone interview.


Four people stayed at the Caldwell County shelter Monday night and only one stayed Tuesday night, Jameson said via a text message.



The Hickory Foundation YMCA is allowing people to take showers and charge electronics in their facilities through the end of business Friday, YMCA Membership Director Meghan Lawton said in a phone interview.


Many people were still without power heading into Wednesday night, even as the number of outages is decreasing.


There were 12,218 outages in Catawba, Burke, Caldwell and Alexander counties late Wednesday afternoon, with 4,909 outages in Catawba County alone.


Duke Energy projects that power in these counties will be restored by 11:45 p.m. Thursday.


The National Weather Service is working to confirm whether or not a tornado or tornadoes touched down in the area.


Officials have been surveying for “probable tornadoes” in Catawba, Burke, Alexander and Caldwell counties, according to an NWS update Wednesday morning.


The results of that investigation were expected Wednesday night.


================


ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC - The wife of a man who was killed after a tree-cutting accident said, her husband “loved climbing trees.”

Brian “Keith” Wilmoth, 31, from Wilkes County, died Wednesday after a tree he was cutting fell on him after it hit power lines.


His wife, Karla said, “I don’t know what we’ll do, I don’t know” as the couple has three young children together.

She said, “He loved our kids equally. All three.”

Family and friends gathered Wednesday night at Charity Hill Baptist Church to remember Keith.

Pastor Brian Cardwell said, “It’s overwhelming you know to find out that it was actually real, it was actually him. The church is in shock.”

Karla said she’s leaning on her faith, “I’ve had an overwhelming amount of grace surrounding me. God has given me that today.”

Wilmoth works for the Asplundh Tree Expert Company and was working in the area of Dover Church and Mountain Ridge Church Roads.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office said the tree was resting on power lines and launched upward hitting him after it was cut.

Parts of western North Carolina suffered significant damage Monday from strong storms.

==========






Life Legacy


Preacher Brian Keith Wilmoth, age 31, passed away Monday, October 25, 2017. Keith was born August 4, 1986 in Surry County to Alvin Eugene and Mary Candance Groce Wilmoth.

Preacher Wilmoth was a member of Charity Hill Baptist Church, previously he served as pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church and was a past member of Gid Branch Baptist Church.

Keith was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Eugene Wilmoth; and his maternal grandparents, Ben and Mary Groce.

Survivors include: wife, Karla Wilmoth; two sons, Alan Wilmoth and Benjamin Wilmoth; daughter, Merriam Wilmoth all of the home; parents, Alvin and Candy Wilmoth of Thurmond; paternal grandmother, Betty Wilmoth of Thurmond; special loving extended family members and many special friends.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Charity Hill Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Brian Cardwell, Preacher Scott Sherrod and Preacher Bobby Lyles officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church.




===============

Asplundh Tree Experts Company Pleads Guilty to Hiring Illegal Aliens, Will Pay Massive Fines

Asplundh Tree Experts is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. The company specializes in removing tree branches to make way for power and gas lines, and in clearing downed trees that have destroyed those lines. This big company had a dirty little secret though, and they were just forced to pay the consequences for it.


The company, headquartered in Philadelphia, has pleaded guilty to hiring illegal aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States, and for maintaining a willfully-blind structure of hierarchy to create plausible deniability. Unfortunately for them, the top executives were unable to wriggle their way out, and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the guilty plea on Thursday.

Following the guilty plea hearing today, the Honorable John R. Padova sentenced the company to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $80,000,000.00 and abide by an Administrative Compliance Agreement, as set forth by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia. Pursuant to a separate Civil Settlement Agreement, Asplundh will pay an additional $15,000,000.00 to satisfy civil claims arising out of their failure to comply with immigration law.

The $95,000,000.00 recovery, including $80,000,000.00 criminal forfeiture money judgment and $15,000,000.00 in civil payment, represents the largest payment ever levied in an immigration case.




According to court documents, from 2010 until December 2014, Asplundh, an industry leader in tree trimming and brush clearance for power and gas lines, hired and rehired employees in many regions in the United States accepting identification documents it knew to be false and fraudulent. A six-year HSI audit and investigation revealed that the company decentralized its hiring so Sponsors (the highest levels of management) could remain willfully blind while Supervisors and General Foremen (2nd and 3rd level supervisors) hired ineligible workers, including unauthorized aliens, in the field. Hiring was by word of mouth referrals rather than through any systematic application process. This manner of hiring enabled Supervisors and General Foremen to hire a work force that was readily available and at their disposal.

By using a highly decentralized system, the company was able to find and exploit those here illegally, hiring and rehiring them over a period of about 4 years according to the investigation. The tactic enabled the company to get a leg-up on the competition, and that advantage enabled them to dominate the market.

While using a decentralized process is usually a good thing for a large company or for a government (especially a government), using that process to violate immigration and employment law is not something we should accept. The laws must be equally applied and not created in such a way that wealthy and/or well-connected individuals or companies can exploit the process at the expense of everyone else.

There’s nothing wrong with hiring immigrants to work for one’s company, but there are immigration laws that need to be respected. When companies engage in this kind of illicit hiring, it attracts people to come to the States illicitly (that, along with the welfare state, and the unduly burdensome process of legal migration).

ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan stated that “Today’s judgment sends a strong, clear message to employers who scheme to hire and retain a workforce of illegal immigrants: we will find you and hold you accountable. Violators who manipulate hiring laws are a pull factor for illegal immigration, and we will continue to take action to remove this magnet.”



This is one good step, but in order to further curb illicit entry, many other reforms in the immigration system are needed, and that goes way beyond just a border wall.

OSHA is investigating the death of worker Brett Morrow with Benchmark Construction who was trapped 25 feet inside a sewer pipe in Streamwood, Illinois

Lots of sorrow as there is no tomorrow for Brett Morrow of Gurnee, Illinois

Intro

Laborer at Benchmark Construction
Former Bagger at Woodman's - Kenosha, WI
Studied Fire and Safety at Eastern Kentucky University
Went to St. Joseph High School
Went to St. Joseph's catholic acadamy
Lives in Gurnee, Illinois
From Gurnee, Illinois

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a man who was trapped in a sewer pipe in Streamwood on Wednesday, officials said.

The man, 22-year-old Brett Morrow of Gurnee, was installing a liner to prevent leaks when he got stuck in the 24-inch-diameter horizontal pipe, Streamwood Fire Chief Chris Clark said. Morrow was able to communicate with fellow workers at first, but was unresponsive when firefighters arrived about 6:18 p.m., Clark said.

Morrow was roughly 25 feet into the pipe, and rescuers were unable to reach him immediately because the liner had crumpled and hardened, blocking the way, Clark said. Specialists in confined space rescue had to cut away the liner in order to pull Morrow out, finally succeeding after 10 p.m.

“We were certainly hopeful that he would be viable,” Clark said. “We operated as if it would be a rescue the entire time. It wasn’t until we had him removed that we were able to determine he was deceased.”

A spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiner’s office said the cause of Morrow’s death was pending further study.

Streamwood village manager Sharon Caddigan said the project, intended to extend the life of the town’s sewer pipes, has been going on for several weeks. The contractor on the job is Benchmark Construction of Bartlett, which was under contract for $527,150, Caddigan said. The company did not immediately return a call for comment.

OHSA records show that Benchmark has been fined for the violation of several safety regulations since 2008, including standards dealing with respiratory protection, protective systems, aerial lifts and excavation requirements.

OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said the agency’s investigation could take up to six months.

“OSHA does have compliance officers at the scene, interviewing witnesses, talking to the employer and looking over safety records, trying to find out whether they were following proper procedures,” he said.

Morrow’s family was not immediately available for comment.

His teammates on the Kenosha Mammoths Rugby Football Club in Wisconsin were shocked and saddened by the news of the accident. They offered condolences and tributes, describing how nice Morrow was and how tough he was on the playing field.

“Brett was one of the best kids I've ever met. Always smiling and having a great time,” fellow rugby player Ryan Joseph said in an email. “He took a big part in my life and mentored my little brother. Truly one of my best friends. He loved what he did, his job, his friends, playing rugby. A truly wonderful person.”

Joseph said he met Morrow when they both attended St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Kenosha and played on the football team together.

“So many great memories through our eight years of friendship from rugby to wrestling to having epic nights going out or just chilling in one of our basements,” Joseph said, “He was a loving son, caring brother and a truly amazing friend.”

He said his friend enjoyed fishing and “the kid was tough as nails.”

Another rugby player who messaged through Facebook, Joseph Giorno, said Morrow was truly a great guy.

“I first met Brett when he started playing with the Kenosha Vultures Rugby Club," Giorno said.

The Vultures was started in 2006 to bring high school rugby to the Kenosha area, according to its website.

“He was one of the most underrated rugby players I've had the pleasure of playing with,” Giorno said. “Most people looked at his slim stature and underestimated his ability. He swiftly proved them wrong by being one of the most tenacious players to come through Kenosha rugby.”

“On and off the field, Brett was always in good spirits and everyone loved him,” he said.

Cherney and Keilman are Tribune reporters. Abderholden is a reporter for the News-Sun.

California's Division of Workers’ Compensation Suspends Three Medical Providers for Fraud: Byong Chun “David” Min of Irvine, Sujan Thyagaraj of Roswell, New Mexico and Rhonda Singleton of Los Angeles

California's Division of Workers’ Compensation Suspends Three Medical Providers for Fraud

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has suspended three more medical providers from participating in California’s workers’ compensation system, bringing the total number of providers suspended this year to 52.

DWC Administrative Director George Parisotto issued Orders of Suspension against the following providers:

• Byong Chun “David” Min of Irvine pled guilty on April 20, 2016 to health care fraud and illegal kickbacks. Min, co-owner and operator of Glory Rehab Team, Inc., which also operated as Dream Hospital and Daesung Clinic in Orange County, was involved in an illegal kickback scheme referring Medicare beneficiaries to co-schemers Marlon Songco, Joseff Sales and Danniel Goyena, knowing that they would bill Medicare for services that were never provided.
• Sujan Thyagaraj of Roswell, New Mexico, a physician whose medical license was summarily suspended in New Mexico in March 2016 after criminal charges were filed against him for sexual assault on a patient. The Medical Board of California revoked his physician and surgeon’s license on September 23, 2016. Thyagaraj was suspended from the Medi-Cal program on August 29, 2017.
• Rhonda Singleton of Los Angeles, owner of substance abuse treatment facility Singleton Housing Project, pled no contest in Los Angeles County Superior Court on January 25, 2017 to grand theft of the California Health Care Deposit Fund.  Singleton was suspended from Medi-Cal on August 15, 2017.

AB 1244 (Gray and Daly), which went into effect January 1, introduced new changes to the workers’ compensation system and requires the division’s Administrative Director to suspend any medical provider, physician or practitioner from participating in the workers’ compensation system in cases in which one or more of the following is true:

• The provider has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving fraud or abuse of the Medi-Cal or Medicare programs or the workers’ compensation system, fraud or abuse of a patient, or related types of misconduct;

• The provider has been suspended due to fraud or abuse from the Medicare or Medicaid (including Medi-Cal) programs; or
• The provider’s license or certificate to provide health care has been surrendered or revoked.

The Department of Industrial Relation’s (DIR’s) fraud prevention efforts are posted online, including frequently updated lists for physicians, practitioners, and providers who have been issued notices of suspension, and those who have been suspended pursuant to Labor Code §139.21(a)(1). The department recently added a new web page with information on lien consolidations and the Special Adjudication Unit.

DIR protects and improves the health, safety and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR’s Division of Workers’ Compensation monitors the administration of workers' compensation claims, and provides administrative and judicial services to assist in resolving disputes that arise in connection with claims for workers' compensation benefits. 

================

Brea Man Who Operated Physical Therapy Clinics Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Federal Prison in $3 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

            SANTA ANA, California – A Brea man who operated rehabilitation clinics in Walnut, Torrance and Los Angeles and defrauded Medicare out of approximately $3 million by billing for unneeded or unnecessary services has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison.
            Simon Hong (who is also known as Seong Wook Hong), 55, was sentenced yesterday afternoon by United States District Judge David O. Carter. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Judge Carter ordered Hong remanded into custody.
            Hong was found guilty in October of eight counts of healthcare fraud, nine counts of illegal kickbacks related to healthcare referrals and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
            Hong owned physical therapy clinics operated by companies called Hong’s Medical Management, Inc., CMH Practice Solution, and HK Practice and Solution, Inc. As part of the scheme, Hong recruited Medicare beneficiaries and provided uncovered services like massage and acupuncture for them. Even though the beneficiaries did not receive actual physical therapy, Hong’s co-conspirators billed Medicare for physical therapy, and then funneled 56 percent of the reimbursement funds back to Hong.
            Through this scheme Hong and his co-conspirators billed Medicare from the spring of 2009 until November 2013 and received approximately $2,929,775 in reimbursements, of which Hong received approximately $1,640,674. During today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Carter ordered Hong to pay $2,929,775 in restitution.
            “This defendant stole nearly $3 million in federal money earmarked for those with serious medical needs,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “This lengthy sentence accurately reflects the scope of the harm caused by the defendant to American taxpayers and legitimate Medicare beneficiaries. My office will continue to bring prosecutions against criminals causing harm to federal programs.”
            Hong is one of 10 defendants who were charged in 2015 and early 2016 for healthcare fraud related to physical therapy. Eight others have pled guilty, and one, David Y. Kim, 54, of Los Angeles, remains a fugitive. Those previously convicted in the investigation are:

• Joseff Sales, 39, of Buena Park, a co-owner and operator of Rehab Dynamics, who pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud and one count of illegal kickbacks, and was sentenced last year to 51 months in prison;
  
• Danniel Goyena, 39, of Buena Park, a co-owner and operator of Rehab Dynamics, who pleaded guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud and was sentenced last year to 51 months in prison;
  
• Marlon Sonco, 39, of Sylmar, who pleaded guilty in June 2015 to conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23;
  
• Eddieson Legaspi, 40, of Lomita, an employee of Rehab Dynamics, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and also was sentenced yesterday to 15 months;
  
• Ohun Kwon, 50, of Fullerton, the owner/operator of E.K. Medical Management, which referred patients to Rehab Dynamics, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and was sentenced last year to 27 months in federal prison;
  
• Leovigildo Sayat, 39, of Torrance, an employee of RSG Rehab, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and was sentenced last year to two years in prison;
  
• Byong Chun “David” Min, 68, of Irvine, co-owner/operator of Glory Rehab Team, which operated as Dream Hospital in Orange County, who pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud and illegal kickbacks, also was sentenced yesterday to 45 months in prison; and
  
• Jason S. Min, 35, of Irvine, David Min’s son, who was the other owner/operator of Glory Rehab, pleaded guilty last year to obstruction of justice and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6.
  

            “Mr. Hong and his co-defendants spent years defrauding the Medicare system at the expense of taxpayers and legitimate healthcare recipients,” said Deirdre Fike, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Agents and prosecutors worked very diligently on this case to identify and charge multiple defendants in order to hold them responsible for their actions.”
            “Medicare provides legitimate health care services for millions of older Americans,” said Christian J. Schrank, HHS OIG Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Fraudulently billing the program for therapies never provided will cost Mr. Hong years in prison. As this sentencing shows, not just providers, but business owners who are partners in these schemes, will pay a price. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will pursue all those involved in stealing from the Medicare trust fund.”
            In a separate case, Hong pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in another scheme involving occupational and physical therapy services that were never provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare suffered losses of approximately $2.4 million in relation to this scheme. Hong is scheduled to be sentenced in this case in Los Angeles federal court by United States District Judge George Wu on March 6.
            “For almost six years since May 2009, [Hong] participated in or orchestrated schemes to defraud Medicare that led to at least $5.3 million in actual losses to Medicare and potentially over $20 million in intended losses to Medicare, a program that can hardly afford them,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed in relation to today’s sentencing. “He directed numerous others in executing the schemes, perverting the legitimate physical therapy services process at every turn, from patient enrollment to billing to record keeping.”
            The investigation in these cases was conducted by the FBI and HHS-OIG. The prosecutions are being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Byron J. McLain and Sarah Heidel of the Major Frauds Section.