A former chief executive of hospitals in Wyoming and Indiana has pleaded guilty for defrauding the hospital and one in Indiana out of more than $1.5 million.
Prosecutors say Paul D. Cardwell took nearly $850,000 from Powell Valley Healthcare in 2011 and took about the same amount from White County Memorial Hospital in Monticello, Ind., between 2003 and 2009.
Cardwell pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to three counts including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The Powell Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/19pMuXj ) sentencing is set for Dec. 23.
Prosecutors say Cardwell pretended the money was going toward recruiting staff but the money actually went to a friend.
Auditors discovered the scheme in 2011. Cardwell fled to Thailand while free on bond but was caught and extradited to the United States.