BANGOR, Maine — A South Thomaston man convicted of lying about his income when he applied for and received health care benefits was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to five months in federal prison.
Rodney Russell, 48, also was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
In addition to prison time, U.S. District Judge John Woodcock ordered Russell to pay a $5,000 fine but did not order him to pay restitution to Dirigo Health, the state’s subsidized health care program.
While Russell is serving his time for health care fraud, an investigation into his being a part of a major drug trafficking operation will continue, according to court documents.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2010 on six counts of making a false statement in connection with a health care benefit program. A jury found Russell guilty in April of four counts relating to statements made in 2008 and 2009 and not guilty of two counts covering statements allegedly made in 2007 and 2009.
Russell applied for the subsidized health care program after he lost his job in Bangor in 2006, according to court documents. He continued to receive benefits after he began working part time.
After his conviction, Russell remained free on personal recognizance bail pending sentencing until last month. His bail was revoked Feb. 9 after he was charged in state court in Knox County following an altercation with law enforcement officers who tried to serve a search warrant as part of a drug trafficking investigation, according to court documents.
In the order revoking Russell’s bail, U.S. Magistrate Judge Margaret Kravchuk wrote that he “is under investigation in what I view as a serious drug trafficking case.” The search warrant and supporting documents have been sealed.
Russell faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for lying about his income to obtain health care benefits. If indicted for and convicted of federal drug charges, he could face significantly more time behind bars.
Maine needs to get welfare fraud under control. Stories like this are commonplace and the result of 40 years of democrat rule.
I blame the republican party because he is an alleged business man.
i blame both parties.
How generic. Offer a solution.
“…did not order him to pay restitution to Dirigo Health…” The system is scrambling to find money to cover loses, and he doesn’t have to repay? Doesn’t make sense.
how’s he going to pay restitution?, he was convicted of drug dealing, and possibly health care fraud. What’s the sense, he’s hopefully going to prison, and I suppose his job opportunities are just gonna explode when he exits prison? That would be the “Making of another homeless welfare recipient”……who, according to some here, would say, let him freeze and starve. Which, in my opinion, doesn’t at all reflect our so called civilized, modern, capitalist society where “we take care of our own”……..and guns, guts, and god got us to be the greatest nation in the world”…………..guns, guts, and god……..ya, right.
and the wheels keep going round and round…
great song by the way…….Watchin the Wheels…..John Lennon….excellent quote. from a peaceful person.
He was NOT convicted of drug trafficking, rather he is being investigated. He was, however, convicted of health care fraud. It’s clear that you didn’t read the headline or the article, otherwise you would have known that and that he is in prison now and will be for five months. This is my father. None of you commenting were there, except for myself and toothfortrooth, so your judgments are based on what was written by Judy/ Casey. It’s interesting how this article neglects to mention how more than 30 of my father’s friends and family came to support him. That’s pretty good for a Thursday, especially when the hearing was changed from 3pm to 2pm less than 24 hours before. Now, take a look at this article http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/03/08/news/midcoast/porter-denied-bail-in-firefighter-slaying-victims-widow-cries-in-court/. Yes, he did have a lot more people to come and the article was written by somebody who probably isn’t Joel Casey’s mouthpiece. This is the first and only comment I will ever leave on BDN. As for the rest of you about to leave comments, read the damn article first to at least attempt to make yourselves look informed, not idiotic bandwagon-jumpers.
Why don’t they tell us what kind of drugs we are talking about? We don’t know if they are dangerous drugs or harmless plants. The word drug is just too vague nowadays because almost everything is considered a drug. Did he buy cold medicine from two different stores in the same week or something? I have no idea what this guy is in trouble for after reading the article. I guess we will be taking care of his expenses for a while anyway.
Yesterday’s headline was that 19,000 people received Maine Care that didn’t qualify. Well run system. The reason there was no restitution was that the prosecution never proved he had income in excess of what would have disqualified him for Maine Care. Have to wonder if Judy Harrison is J. Casey’s pen name?
That is total bull about Rodney, I know the man and he is as harmless as a house fly. He didn’t resist a search by the MDEA he complied and while his back was turned they assaulted him and I saw it. In my opinion it’s awful hard to assault anyone when your back is to them. I think Judy should be a real reporter and investigate both sides instead of just printing what Joel Casey gives her.