Former Registered Nurse, Convicted for Medicaid Fraud, Faces Sentencing After Probation is Revoked

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that a former registered nurse has been sentenced after his probation was revoked on a conviction for Medicaid fraud.

John V. Wheeler, formerly of West Allis, appeared before Dane County Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Ehlke, who sentenced Wheeler to three and a half years imprisonment, comprising 18 months initial confinement and two years extended supervision, with conditions that he participate in drug and alcohol treatment, pay court costs, and restitution in the amount of $14,391.40.

On April 27, 2012, Wheeler was convicted of medical assistance fraud. His sentence was originally withheld and his three years probation was to include six months in jail. The fraud was based on his submission of claims to Wisconsin Medicaid for fictitious private duty nursing services.

Wheeler failed to appear at the Dane County Jail on June 26, 2012, to serve his six months confinement and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Wheeler was returned to Wisconsin after he was arrested in Indiana on an unrelated matter. Based on the failure to report and multiple other violations, his probation was revoked.

Medicaid is the health care assistance program for the needy and disabled jointly funded by the state and federal governments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Jeff Gabrysiak and Tom Storm.