RI woman pleads guilty in Medicare fraud case
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A Rhode Island woman who worked for an Illinois company whose owner shipped unwanted penis enlargers to diabetes patients has admitted to bilking Medicare.
Federal prosecutors said 59-year-old Sonja Ascoli (As-COH'-lee) of Woonsocket pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of health care fraud in U.S. District Court in Providence.
Prosecutors allege while working for Illinois-based Planned Eldercare, Ascoli promised free custom fit shoes for diabetics and medical equipment for arthritis sufferers on Medicare. They allege the fraud cost Medicare $70,354. Prosecutors say Ascoli faces up to 10 years in prison when she's sentenced on May 4.
The company's owner, 50-year-old Gary Winner, last week was sentenced to more than three years in prison for defrauding Medicare.
