Letters: Fraud sentences don't match crime

I am completely at a loss to understand current sentencing for criminal offenses. The Aug. 22 newspaper showed Henry Lamont Jones smiling with glee like a rock star after receiving the unbelievably light 15-year sentence for stealing over $13 million from Medicare. He even had the unmitigated audacity to brag about it on the Internet.

Jones was ordered to pay restitution. Really ... how much does the government think it will get from him? Not even close to $13 million! How stupid does it think the public is? How much did Jones hide in the eight months he was free before sentencing? The judge should have sentenced this professional fraud “Kingpin” to the stated federal guideline of at least 30 years. Maybe, just maybe, that would have wiped the smile off Jones’ face.

In another case, New Orleans woman Sandra Parkman Thompson was also convicted of charges for Medicare fraud to the tune of $470,386. Why does her punishment stand to be up to 135 years in prison and fines of up to $3.5 million instead of restitution and up to 30 years in prison? Sentences for doctors who participate in Medicare/Medicaid fraud should be much harsher. After all, they would be able to continue practicing their profession on their fellow criminals. We need a law like Jessica’s Law setting high minimum sentences for crimes like this. Jones, Thompson and other perpetrators of federal fraud should be ready for Medicare themselves by the time they are released.

Charles Lee Hinton

retired schoolteacher

Central

Comments

1) Comment by twinkie1cat - 10/09/2012

Unlike the writer, I don't think people should go to prison for fraud. Rather they should lose all their property, save their least valuable piece, which their wives and kids can live in because they are innocent and all investments and be required to live in a half way house, under close monitoring by the federal government (internet access, cell phone and any other necessary electronics) work in a related field to the work they have illegitimately made their money in and give 1/2 -3/4 of the money they make on what they make back to their victim. They would have a 7Pm-6AM curfew, wear a monitor, and only be allowed to leave for work, medical needs and church. They would have to speak at schools and non-profits and warn youth and college students about white collar crime. Think of the value the expertise of Bernie Madoff and other fraudsters would be if he was legitimately paying off his victims. This should go on for at least 10-20 years depending on the crime and out of the pittance they are allowed to keep, they have to pay for the halfway house residency. Prisons should be left to violent predators who are a physical danger to society, not a monetary danger. White collar criminals should be required to live in poverty and pay back what they owe, not be supported with taxpayer money.

2) Comment by Bighug - 04/09/2012

The lesson here is to be sure and steal enough to pay your way out of a harsh sentence. Not that any official in the state of Louisiana would take a bribe. No, no! I am not making an accusal. All our judges are fair and honest. Many of them have never been kicked off the bench, spent hugh amounts of taxpayer money on trips, or taken excessive time off work. OK, a few of them. A couple?