Mt Pleasant Man Gets Nine Indictments

[carlie]

http://www.easttexasdailynews.com/?c=125&a=19831

Mt Pleasant Man Gets Nine Indictments

Mt Pleasant’s Jim Bob Shipp’s nine-count federal indictment says he received over $800,000. Shipp, 60, allegedly defrauded Veteran’s Administration out of benefits for at least 22 years. He did so by allegedly pretending to be severely vision impaired. Shipp is accused of defrauding the VA from Oct. 25, 1974 to Dec. 1, 2009. The indictment also accuses him of being in possession of a gun despite a felony conviction for rape.

http://www.dailytribune.net/articles/2010/02/03/news/03.txt

Mount Pleasant man charged with health care fraud

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 11:38 AM CST

TYLER, TX - U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced Wednesday that indictments were returned on Feb. 2, 2010, charging individuals with federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas.

Jim Bob Shipp, 60, of Mount Pleasant, was indicted and charged with health care fraud; false statement relating to health care matters; felon in possession of a firearm; and false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

If convicted, Shipp faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the health care and firearms charges and up to five years for the false statement during the purchase of a firearms charge.

According to the indictment, from March 1987 to December 2009, Shipp is alleged to have committed health care fraud and made false statements in relation to obtaining health care services from the Veterans Disability Program.

It is alleged that Shipp falsely represented to doctors that he had extreme loss of vision in both eyes. As a result of these false claims, the Veterans' Affairs Disability Compensation Program awarded the Defendant special monthly compensation during the time period alleged. Also, the indictment alleges that on Sep. 11, 2006, in Titus County, Shipp possessed a firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony.

The Indictment also alleges that on Feb. 7, 2006, in Titus County, Shipp attempted to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer, during which time, Shipp made false statements by representing that he had not been convicted of a felony or a crime which would prohibit him from legally purchasing a firearm.

This case is being investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Denise O. Simpson is prosecuting the case.

[Pete53]

Funny how someone could get away with that when the VA in Dallas uses a machine to determine the extent of your vision loss and calculates the correct prescription.

[Philip Rogers]

Being indicted doesn't necessarily equate to guilt. As OJ Simpson can attest to!

pr

[broncovet]

This guy should go to work for the VA. Instead of being prosecuted for fraud, he would be given an executive position with bonuses. The VAOIG rarely prosecutes its own employees..only Veterans.

[Commander Bob]

Funny how someone could get away with that when the VA in Dallas uses a machine to determine the extent of your vision loss and calculates the correct prescription.

The news article said he allegedly defrauded the VA from March, 1987. Did they even have such machines back then? Stories like this just make it more difficult for legitimate VA claims to be processed. So much for the honor system idea. The stark reality of what is really going on in the world is a sad story, all the way around... There is certainly nothing pleasant about this story.

Edited February 7, 2010 by Commander Bob

[Testvet]

regardless of the felony I don't think people that are so severely sight impaired that they get 100% VA compensation should even think about buying a gun legally or illegally my step father was blind the safest place when he had his shotgun was to be right in front of him and be weallly weallly quiet.......

[Commander Bob]

regardless of the felony I don't think people that are so severely sight impaired that they get 100% VA compensation should even think about buying a gun legally or illegally my step father was blind the safest place when he had his shotgun was to be right in front of him and be weallly weallly quiet.......

One of the news articles mentioned SMC. The other news story said he received over $800, 000 over 22years. That has to be a typo???? Amazing, if true ...

Edited February 7, 2010 by Commander Bob