U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Oneida Woman Indicted for Theft of Government Property
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 15, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Dianne McLester-Heim (Age: 46) of Oneida for allegedly stealing money while employed by the Oneida Community Health Center.
The indictment charges McLester-Heim with Theft of Government Property in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641. If convicted, the defendant faces up to ten years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years on supervised release. The charge also carries a $100 special assessment.
According to the indictment, between August 2019 and January 2020, McLester-Heim allegedly submitted a total of $12,509.59 in fraudulent medical reimbursement claims while employed as a Purchased/Referred Care supervisor at the Oneida Community Health Center. Officials with the Oneida Nation noticed the alleged fraud and conducted an investigation, which led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
As a component of DHHS, Indian Health Services collaborates with the Oneida Nation and other Native American tribes to provide health care for Native Americans throughout the United States. Fraud investigations by both tribal and federal authorities ensures the United States government can continue to meet its unique responsibility to provide health care services for Native Americans.
The case was investigated by the Oneida Police Department and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
414-297-1700
Updated December 17, 2020
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