The Milwaukee Post

Archdiocese returns to mediation with victims MILWAUKEE — The Archdiocese of Milwaukee returned to mediation with hun- dreds of sexual abuse victims this week. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2011, saying it wouldn't have the money to pay if it lost lawsuits filed by victims of clergy sexual abuse. The two sides did not reach an agreement in a 2012 mediation attempt. In February, the archdiocese proposed a reorganization plan that would set aside a total of $4 million for the approximately 130 people who were abused by priests who worked directly for the archdiocese, but nothing for hundreds of others abused by reli- gious order priests or laypeople. Victims say they vow to oppose the plan in court. Many of them still want to tap into a $55 million trust fund created by New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan when he served as Milwaukee archbishop. They believe he shielded the money from them, but the archdiocese has maintained the money was given and always used to maintain Catholic cemeteries. Proceedings began Monday in Chicago in front of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Last of 11 defendants sentenced for Medicaid fraud MILWAUKEE — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced last week that Parnell P. Hyman, of Milwaukee, will serve prison time after being convicted of rack- eteering and Medicaid fraud related to submitting claims for fictitious durable med- ical equipment. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Moroney sentenced Hyman to a total of 14 years — comprising of six years initial confinement, to be followed by eight years extended supervision – on one count of racketeering and three counts of Medicaid fraud, and ordered multiple rehabilitative conditions, including fines of $91,497.19. Hyman was engaged in a scheme to defraud the Wisconsin Medicaid program by submitting false claims for payment for durable medical equipment used for orthotic purposes. Orthotics is a branch of medicine that deals with the use of specialized mechanical devices to support weakened joints or limbs. Medicaid is a health care program for those with disabilities and financial need jointly funded by the state and federal taxpayers. According to the criminal complaint, Hyman was convicted in federal court of mail fraud in 2004 related to charges he had billed Medicaid, using the company name Genesis Medical Supply, for DME he never provided to patients. While incarcerated, he met George Woods Jr. in the same facility. After their release, Hyman and Woods later enlisted others to complete applications to become DME providers with Wisconsin Medicaid under their own business names. Hyman and Woods then worked with others to submit false claims using the provider numbers for those sham businesses. The owners cashed the Medicaid reim- bursement checks and gave the money to Hyman and Woods, who occasionally returned portions of the money as compensation. Hyman provided the business plan for the DME companies, which followed the practice of Genesis Medical Supply, by billing for orthotic devices that were not pro- vided to the alleged recipients. Claims followed for halo cervical devices, tension sco- liosis devices and devices used to support the knee, ankle and foot. Medicaid was billed a total of about $1.3 million by the DME companies – but the Department of Health Services intercepted $199,747.03 after the scheme was uncovered and before it was paid. Hyman is the last of 11 defendants to be convicted and sentenced for the fraudulent scheme. 4 • Milwaukee County Post • September 12, 2014 WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST Trio of Pick 'n Save stores closing in Milwaukee area MILWAUKEE — Roundy's Supermarkets plans to close three Pick 'n Save grocery stores in the Milwaukee area. About 225 workers will lose their jobs when the stores in West Allis, Saukville and Brown Deer close on Nov. 5. Roundy's operates 148 retail grocery stores and 97 pharmacies under the Pick 'n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano's banners in Wisconsin and Illinois. License Division reports brisk run on taxicab permits MILWAUKEE — The City Clerk's office says the action taken by the Milwaukee Common Council in July to lift cap on the number of permits issued to taxi cab drivers – and to allow individuals to apply for provisional permission to begin operating the day of their application – has created a large influx of applicants in the License Division. According to the License Division, 328 new public passenger vehicle applications were processed (170 metered taxis and 158 network vehicles) from Sept. 2 through Sept. 5. Also, the division processed 176 new driver applications, 137 provisional 60-day busi- ness licenses and 128 provisional 60-day individual licenses. A provisional business license allows a new vehicle to operate immediately and the provisional individual license allows a driver to operate while his application is being processed. The License Division opened at 10 a.m. Thursday and today to allow staff to allow staff to process a high volume of applications from individuals seeking a public pas- senger vehicle permit to operate a taxi in Milwaukee. Additionally, the division said it will not process new public passenger vehicle per- mit applications after 4 p.m. because of the work required to turn around a provision- al permit while the applicant is waiting (in person). The division normally opens at 8:15 a.m. Monday through Friday. The Common Council passed legislation July 22 that did away with the cab cap and created a more streamlined application process, allowing drivers to sign an affidavit affirming their record is clean and receive a provisional permit immediately upon their application. August deadliest month on the road this year MILWAUKEE — With 69 traffic fatalities, August was the dead- liest month on Wisconsin roads so far this year. The second high- est traffic fatalities month in 2014 was June with 50 traffic deaths. Traffic fatalities last month also were four more than in August 2013 and seven more than the five-year average for the month of August, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. During the Labor Day holiday period, six people died in crashes compared with 10 deaths last year. As of Aug. 31, a total of 320 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes in 2014, including 51 motorcycle drivers, five motorcycle passengers, 22 pedestrians and three bicyclists. Traffic deaths through the end of August were 28 fewer than during the same period in 2013 and 44 fewer than the five-year average. "In coming weeks, many motorcyclists will be on the road for fall rides around the state," said David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety, in a release. "To prevent crashes, drivers need to share the road and watch for motorcycles especially at intersections and while making turns and lane changes. To protect them- selves and other motorists, motorcyclists must obey all traffic laws, such as speed lim- its, and never ride while impaired. They should always wear protective and conspicuous clothing and gear, including a helmet that meets or exceeds US DOT standards." Charges to be filed against wrong-way driver MILWAUKEE — Multiple charges were expected to be filed this week against a 23- year-old Milwaukee man after he allegedly crashed his car while driving the wrong way on Miller Park Way early Sunday morning, according to a release from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. The man smashed his white Nissan head-on into a blue BMW, which was traveling north, around 2:30 a.m. The driver of the BMW suffered minor leg injuries and was treat- ed at a local hospital. The driver of the Nissan and his 23-year-old passenger were found unconscious when emergency crews arrived. The passenger was hospitalized with seri- ous injuries. Deputies said they found empty and full beer cans in the suspect's vehicle. Miller Park Way was shut down at West National Avenue for four hours. The MCSO said the Milwaukee Police Department initially received a call about an abandoned white Nissan on North 35th Street. A Milwaukee fire and a tow truck responded, but when MFD personnel approached the vehicle, the driver fled and entered I-94 at 35th Street in the wrong direction.

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