A former New York nursing home executive who once operated a facility in Batesville must report to an Arkansas prison by Dec. 29 to begin serving a one-year sentence for Medicaid fraud and tax evasion, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Karen Whatley rejected arguments from lawyers for Joseph Schwartz that his brief confinement in federal prison should count toward his state sentence, saying that determination rests with the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin petitioned the court to enforce Schwartz’s plea agreement in the state case, requiring incarceration despite a recent presidential pardon in his federal case.
Schwartz, 67, pleaded guilty in April to federal charges tied to a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving Skyline Health Care, a nursing home chain that once operated dozens of facilities nationwide, including the former Batesville Health and Rehab.
He served about 90 days in federal prison before receiving a pardon last month from President Donald Trump.
Schwartz later pleaded guilty to Arkansas charges and agreed to reimburse the state $1.8 million by May or risk additional prison time. He may be eligible for parole after serving 60 days.
Schwartz appeared at the hearing by video. His attorney said he could not travel because of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch CBS News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
