Westminster company owner accused of $19M Medicaid fraud declines to change plea

WORCESTER – A Westminster transportation company owner accused of defrauding the government of $19 million and laundering part of the proceeds intends to take the matter to trial.

Prosecutors showed up to a Worcester Superior Court hearing Wednesday expecting a change of plea, but attorneys for 57-year-old Michael J. Davini said he wants a trial.

Defense lawyer Michael C. Wilcox told Superior Court Judge James Gavin Reardon Jr. he expects a trial to take three to four weeks. A trial was set for May next year because of conflicting schedules among attorneys.

Assistant Attorney General Ian Marinoff told Judge Reardon he had expected a change of plea to occur Wednesday, and that the matter has been on for similar possible plea changes several times.

Read more: http://www.telegram.com/news/20180718/westminster-company-owner-accused-of-19m-medicaid-fraud-declines-to-change-plea