Former Printing, Mail Services Manager at Hospital Chain Steals $10M Using Fake Invoices
HOUSTON—April 23, 2015—A former employee pled guilty to defrauding Memorial Hermann Health Systems in Houston of nearly $10 million, and now faces up to 20 years in prison, reported KRGV-TV.
In 2001, Kenneth Wild II began writing bogus invoices for printing services that were never provided. The invoices came from a phony company Wild made up. As the hospital's printing and mail services manager, Wild, 49, was responsible for approving invoices and sending checks for payment. Over the years, he submitted more than 200 invoices and sent checks to a post office box he controlled.
According to The Houston Chronicle, officials said Wild used the money to take overseas vacations to China, England, Germany, Iceland and the Netherlands.
Auditors received an anonymous tip last month outlining the scam, revealed KRGV-TV, and Wild was fired during the investigation.
Wild’s plea bargain includes restitution to Memorial Hermann Health Systems that requires him to relinquish all of his financial assets, including his home, vehicles and retirement plan, according to the newspaper.