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mahatmakanejeeves

(67,895 posts)
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:08 AM Dec 2024

Biden grants clemency to Indiana nursing home CEO who led $19 million fraud scheme

Source: Indianapolis Star

Investigations
Biden grants clemency to Indiana nursing home CEO who led $19 million fraud scheme

Tony Cook
Indianapolis Star
Published 6:03 p.m. ET Dec. 13, 2024

President Joe Biden has commuted the sentence of a former Indiana health care executive who led a $19.4 million fraud scheme involving nursing homes owned by Marion County's public health system.

Former American Senior Communities CEO James Burkhart was among nearly 1,500 people whose sentences Biden commuted Thursday as part of what the White House has described as the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

As the top executive of Indiana's largest nursing home operator, Burkhart and several co-conspirators orchestrated a massive fraud and kickback scheme involving a web of shell companies. He then spent the money on private jets, vacation homes, diamond jewelry and gold bars. Most of the stolen money came from the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, a public health agency that owns nursing homes and operates Eskenazi hospital.

Burkhart pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to violate the health care anti-kickback statute, and money laundering. He was sentenced to 9.5 years in federal prison.

{snip}

Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com. Follow him on X: @IndyStarTony.

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2024/12/13/biden-clemency-indiana-nursing-home-ceo-james-burkhart-fraud-scheme/76969223007/

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Biden grants clemency to Indiana nursing home CEO who led $19 million fraud scheme (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2024 OP
what? why the fuck would he do that? nt orleans Dec 2024 #1
i don't give a shit how good the asshole was -- $19 million fraud? no, he didn't deserve clemency orleans Dec 2024 #2
Then there is this... MichMan Dec 2024 #10
Mandatory Minimums are a problem IbogaProject Dec 2024 #18
This message was self-deleted by its author IbogaProject Dec 2024 #19
In these days and times, 19 million is probably just petty cash and misdemeanor these to people in DC LiberalArkie Dec 2024 #20
Yikes, that's two in a row... Polybius Dec 2024 #3
Garbage in-garbage out Buddyzbuddy Dec 2024 #4
My boss? iemanja Dec 2024 #24
The DOJ isn't under the executive branch ? MichMan Dec 2024 #29
Reading for context quakerboy Dec 2024 #33
Hmmm iemanja Dec 2024 #35
for what it is worth, I agree that the poster meant the underlings in the WH, for whom Biden is their 'boss' Celerity Dec 2024 #40
This was my take too. Thanks for writing. And good afternoon. NT mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2024 #37
Someone at DOJ prepared a moniss Dec 2024 #5
There is no reason to spare him of blame Renew Deal Dec 2024 #17
6.5 years of 9.5 years. Covid. Point made. Arguable if you like to argue. Festivito Dec 2024 #6
Im beginning to think slightlv Dec 2024 #7
Post removed Post removed Dec 2024 #8
So what? Nothing matters anymore LymphocyteLover Dec 2024 #9
How did this guy and the scumbag judge get on the list? Who did it? dalton99a Dec 2024 #11
He qualifies for a cabinet post in the trump admin. Turbineguy Dec 2024 #12
Joe. Read. The. Room. intheflow Dec 2024 #13
Following SCOTUS' lead on immunity bucolic_frolic Dec 2024 #14
he did 6 years of his 9 year sentence Botany Dec 2024 #15
People don't understand how clemency, commutation and louis-t Dec 2024 #16
No, what people don't understand is why this person deserved it. MichMan Dec 2024 #21
He said he was sorry...? Montauk6 Dec 2024 #25
Maybe, I've been over reacting to the convicted felons pardon and his future pardons. republianmushroom Dec 2024 #22
WTF? Martin68 Dec 2024 #23
What the FUCK is Biden doing? GoYouPackersGo Dec 2024 #26
... Faux pas Dec 2024 #27
Another wtf XanaDUer2 Dec 2024 #28
... ColinC Dec 2024 #30
Do we know what process Pres. Biden followed? yorkster Dec 2024 #31
Why!?! diane in sf Dec 2024 #32
Because the guy was on a list with 1499 others quakerboy Dec 2024 #34
This message was self-deleted by its author jfz9580m Dec 2024 #36
I'm sure none of the stolen money in any way impacted the quality of care given to patients and residents. Solly Mack Dec 2024 #38
All roads lead to cash JustTooMuch Dec 2024 #39
I'm sorry but that is just pathetic of him. Wonder Why Dec 2024 #41
James Burkhart was already released from prison and on home confinement along with 1,499 others Galraedia Dec 2024 #42
What the actual fuck? The Mouth Dec 2024 #43

orleans

(36,605 posts)
2. i don't give a shit how good the asshole was -- $19 million fraud? no, he didn't deserve clemency
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:23 AM
Dec 2024

from your link


The White House and the U.S. Department of Justice did not provide explanations for individual commutations. But those whose sentences Biden commuted on Thursday had been placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and "have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities," according to a fact sheet from the White House.

The federal Bureau of Prisons website shows Burkhart, 60, was assigned to the residential reentry management field office in Detroit, which primarily manages federal offenders in halfway houses or on home confinement. His release date was listed as Sept. 22, 2025.


In all, Biden commuted the sentences of 1,499 people who have been serving their sentences at home for at least one year. He also pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, including one Indianapolis woman.

MichMan

(16,486 posts)
10. Then there is this...
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 09:32 AM
Dec 2024

What outdated laws ?

In a prepared statement, Biden said the commutations were granted because the defendants “would receive lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices.”

“These commutation recipients, who were placed on home confinement during the COVID pandemic, have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and have shown that they deserve a second chance,” Biden said.

In a separate statement, White House officials said Biden is granting clemency to nonviolent offenders “who were sentenced under outdated laws, policies, and practices.”



https://www.citizensvoice.com/2024/12/12/biden-commutes-sentence-for-kids-for-cash-judge/

IbogaProject

(5,518 posts)
18. Mandatory Minimums are a problem
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:15 PM
Dec 2024

This guy needed to spend more time in prison not on house arrest. This is all really due to the GOP budget B$, Joe is looking to stretch his budget to get the things he wants to get done. I'm not happy with it. Hopefully just clemency which lets him out on parole and the fines and restitution and other impairments remain.

Response to MichMan (Reply #10)

LiberalArkie

(19,176 posts)
20. In these days and times, 19 million is probably just petty cash and misdemeanor these to people in DC
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:01 PM
Dec 2024

Buddyzbuddy

(2,016 posts)
4. Garbage in-garbage out
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:21 AM
Dec 2024

If they had home confinement then it goes to reason, they must also qualify for clemency. See, easy peasy, none of that exhausting research needed. Way to look after your bosses' reputation, you numbskulls.

iemanja

(57,289 posts)
24. My boss?
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:27 PM
Dec 2024

What kind of authoritarian regime do you think we live in where the President is "our boss"? He is a public servant, not our owner.

MichMan

(16,486 posts)
29. The DOJ isn't under the executive branch ?
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:09 PM
Dec 2024

It's a cabinet level office. Who do they report to then?

quakerboy

(14,688 posts)
33. Reading for context
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:08 PM
Dec 2024

I dont think "your boss" meant you as a poster, but the white house staffers who populated the list of those to pardon. For whom the president definitely is their "boss"

Celerity

(53,414 posts)
40. for what it is worth, I agree that the poster meant the underlings in the WH, for whom Biden is their 'boss'
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 05:44 PM
Dec 2024

cheers Jemanja,

Cel

moniss

(8,564 posts)
5. Someone at DOJ prepared a
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:24 AM
Dec 2024

list and sent it to the WH as vetted and recommended. I doubt Joe went through one by one. Are we seeing the work of a MAGA holdover at DOJ slipping things in to embarrass Joe later?

slightlv

(7,267 posts)
7. Im beginning to think
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 04:04 AM
Dec 2024

This is one action which should be stripped. The people finally actually get a white collar criminal millionaire to jail, and president's commute or forgive them. Crap on this. There are women in jail for murder caused by defending themselves against domestic violence. There are nonviolent drug users in jail due to our racist terror laws on drugs. But these people don't have millions to give campaigns and PACs. So they languish in prison while the rich go free. When did I cross over into the Twilight Zone?!

Response to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

bucolic_frolic

(53,659 posts)
14. Following SCOTUS' lead on immunity
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 11:37 AM
Dec 2024

Everything is to be forgiven! This is the path down which we're headed. I wonder if this clemency is not troll as much as pardon.

Botany

(76,149 posts)
15. he did 6 years of his 9 year sentence
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 11:39 AM
Dec 2024

and as long as he has no money squirreled away fine by me. his life is ruined.

And he can work at paying back all the money too.

louis-t

(24,561 posts)
16. People don't understand how clemency, commutation and
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 11:45 AM
Dec 2024

pardons work. The "normal" procedure is the family of a defendant or prisoner petitions the DOJ. The DOJ looks at each case and makes recommendations to the president who then decides on whether to grant the requests. What's abnormal is pardoning all of your buddies and advisors that commited crimes in your name with the promise of a pardon if they got caught. What I would consider acceptable is protecting your own son from what promises to be an overzealous incoming administration that has promised to "get even" with anyone who has crossed them, embarrassed them, participated in investigations into them, or is related to anyone in the previous administration.

MichMan

(16,486 posts)
21. No, what people don't understand is why this person deserved it.
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:04 PM
Dec 2024

He stole $19 million from the government and spent it on private jets, vacation homes, gold bars and diamonds.

What was it about his specific case that made the DOJ recommend commutation and why was it granted?

republianmushroom

(22,122 posts)
22. Maybe, I've been over reacting to the convicted felons pardon and his future pardons.
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:14 PM
Dec 2024

Last edited Sat Dec 14, 2024, 08:07 PM - Edit history (1)

That trump will make.

yorkster

(3,628 posts)
31. Do we know what process Pres. Biden followed?
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:22 PM
Dec 2024

Was he told these 1500 were vetted?

As was said upthread this guy served 6.5 years of a 9 year term. It was a blanket pardon and maybe this one slipped through. So. I'm not ready to board the bash Biden bus.
I do hope the hell he pardons Peltier...



quakerboy

(14,688 posts)
34. Because the guy was on a list with 1499 others
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:14 PM
Dec 2024

Have you ever tried to read through a list of 1500 names and then additional details? I have. Its not easy, and something will slip your notice, guaranteed.

Response to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Solly Mack

(96,257 posts)
38. I'm sure none of the stolen money in any way impacted the quality of care given to patients and residents.
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 04:35 PM
Dec 2024

I'm sure none of them went without.

I'm sure Burkhart will spend the rest of his life serving people in need.

I'm.just.so.sure.





JustTooMuch

(47 posts)
39. All roads lead to cash
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 05:31 PM
Dec 2024

Protect the donor class. It seems to be a guiding principle for both parties, sad to say.

Galraedia

(5,323 posts)
42. James Burkhart was already released from prison and on home confinement along with 1,499 others
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 07:14 PM
Dec 2024

who were granted clemency.

The Mouth

(3,402 posts)
43. What the actual fuck?
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 11:18 PM
Dec 2024

We are going to have this thrown in our faces for the next decade, and any time anyone complains about a Trump pardon.

Hunter I can understand- agree with no, but understand

But this shit is pathetic. I am ashamed.

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