A. COURTNEY COX, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

Nine Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208, Telephone (618) 628-3700

For Immediate Release September 22, 2009

O’FALLON COUPLE AND THEIR EAST ST. LOUIS DAY CARE CENTER PLEAD GUILTY TO VARIOUS FRAUD SCHEMES

A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on September 18, 2009, MONICA M. OWENS, age 39, ROBBY L. OWENS, age 40, both of O’Fallon, and GREAT KIDS, INC., a corporation operating a daycare center in East St. Louis, Illinois, pled guilty to various fraud charges before the United States District Court in East St. Louis.

MONICA OWENS pled guilty to tax evasion, theft of federal program funds, and food stamp benefit fraud. Each offense carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. The tax evasion and food stamp benefit fraud offenses each carry a five (5) year maximum term of imprisonment. The tax evasion offense also carries the potential liability for the costs of prosecution. The theft of federal program funds offense carries a ten (10) year maximum term of imprisonment. ROBBY L. OWENS pled guilty to tax evasion. The offense carries a penalty of up to five (5) years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $100,000.00, or both, and also the potential liability for the costs of prosecution. GREAT KIDS, INC. pled guilty to theft of federal program funds. The corporation faces a potential maximum term of five years probation and a fine of $500,000.

The sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for January 8, 2010. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General Investigations; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Bureau of Investigations. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with the tax laws, you may report this activity to the local Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation office or by mailing the information to: Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA, 93888.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health Human Services, Office of Inspector General or call 1-800-447-8477.