U.S. Department of Justice

CEO Spruill Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Healthcare Fraud

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-News Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that yesterday afternoon in federal court, SHEPHARD LEE SPRUILL, 47, of Greenville, North Carolina, was sentenced to 96 months in prison on the charge of Health Care Fraud Conspiracy, and 60 months in prison for Perjury, to be served concurrently. Spruill was also ordered to make restitution in the total amount of $5,998,874.86, payable to the North Carolina Medicaid Program, the South Carolina Medicaid Program, and another victim of the scheme. Spruill was further ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release, and to forfeit an additional $939,989.50 in criminal proceeds. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Spruill is also banned from participation in Federal healthcare benefit programs for life.

Spruill’s case arose out of the investigation of Pitt County behavioral health provider Terry Lamont Speller, his biller, Donnie Lee Phillips, II; and another Medicaid provider named 2 Reginald Saunders. Each of these defendants were previously sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge James C. Fox to 20 years, 9 years, and 3 years, respectively.

According to the Criminal Information and evidence discussed in open court, Spruill, then the leader of Carolina Support Services, an East Carolina behavioral health practice, supplied hundreds of patient names and identifiers to Speller, who in turn had Phillips bill the North Carolina Medicaid Program for millions of dollars in fictitious mental health services. Spruill, Speller, and Phillips split the fraud proceeds, with Spruill receiving his cut of the funds in the form of fictitious, no-document loan repayments. Spruill appeared before a federal grand jury and lied about his involvement with Speller, falsely claiming that he had no business relationship with Speller.

The continuing investigation into Spruill revealed that Spruill also engaged in a fraud upon the South Carolina Medicaid program, billing and being paid millions in fictitious services through another provider he owned.

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. stated, “As we continue to combat drug dealers and violent criminals in our district, do not for a moment believe that we have given a pass to those whose steal from taxpayers through fraud. This case shows our continuing resolve to bring all to justice, even CEOs who commit their crimes with lies instead of guns. This case also 3 sends a message about the integrity of our grand jury system. Those who choose to lie in the grand jury will be held fully accountable.”

“Health care fraud is not a road to easy riches, as this sentence demonstrates,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Those who steal from taxpayers and vital government health care programs will be held accountable for their actions.”

In a related case, ATOYA BELLAMY, 45, of Morrisville, North Carolina, was sentenced to one year in prison for her role in Spruill’s fraud at Carolina Support Services. BELLAMY previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud on November 29, 2017. BELLAMY was also ordered to make restitution to the Government.

The investigation of this case was conducted by agents of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assigned to the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office; The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; and the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation and prosecution of this matter is being handled in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern 4 District of North Carolina and the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney William M. Gilmore and Special Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Spillman of the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, each represented the United States.

If you suspect Medicaid or Medicare fraud please visit the HHS OIG website at https://oig.hhs.gov/ and click on the Report Fraud button. To report Medicaid fraud in North Carolina, call the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division at 919-881-2320. # # #

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession Charge

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-News Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, WENDELL ROUSE, JR., 32, of Henderson, North Carolina, was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

ROUSE was named in a two-count Indictment on July 25, 2017 charging him with two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. On January 29, 2018, ROUSE pled guilty to one of those two counts.

Investigation was initiated by the Henderson Police Department (HPD) on June 20, 2017, when officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen by a .380 caliber bullet. Seven shell casing of the same caliber were recovered from the scene. Further, the screen door of the residence had been shot out and there were three bullet holes in the side of the residence. Notably, the victim was shot from the outside while he was inside the residence. Three children were also in the residence at the time.

Later the same night, while continuing their investigation, officers heard a gunshot nearby and then observed ROUSE as he walked through the crime scene tape and headed to the victim’s residence. ROUSE was instructed to raise his shirt to reveal his waistband. After hearing those instructions, ROUSE turned away from the officers and started to reach for something on his person. ROUSE was then handcuffed and searched where officers recovered a .380 handgun from his waistband. Ballistics later matched the defendant’s handgun to the bullets recovered from the scene.

In summary, ROUSE is responsible for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. At sentencing, the court determined that a cross reference to attempted murder under the sentencing guidelines was appropriate in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department, the North Carolina Crime Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC

City of Henderson Logo

H-V Chamber of Commerce Announces 2018 “Meet Me in the Street” Series

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— courtesy Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce | John Barnes, President ~ 252-438-8414 ~ info@hendersonvance.org ~ Facebook

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host another season of “Meet Me in the Street”, a series of concerts offered free to the local community. Presenting sponsor for this year’s events is NC Towing & Recovery.

The first concert of the year will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018, and will feature “The Konnection Band”. This band is a local favorite and is one of the East Coast’s premiere party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach and Oldies.

The second concert is set for Thursday, June 14, 2018, and will host “The Castaways”. A reputable band known throughout the South, The Castaways posses over fifty years of experience in the beach music industry. From its beginning in Durham, NC in 1961, The Castaways have been pleasing audiences with their unique flavor of Beach, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll for generations of fans. With eight members on stage, The Castaways bring a full sound that includes live horns, versatile vocals covering a variety of music and high energy. Don’t be surprised if you hear some current country, Top-40, or a little southern-rock as well!

The third and final concert of the season is on Thursday, September 27, 2018, and will feature “Liquid Pleasure”. After more than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, this band has become a multi-cultural icon. Veteran member Melvin Farrington says “We love being in touch with people like us, who love a variety of good music, and appreciate hearing it performed live”. Liquid Pleasure presents a mix of Oldies, Beach Music and Disco.

In addition to the live music and dancing, a kids section will also be included this year.

Sponsors for this year’s concert series are Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health – Gold Sponsors; BB&T, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 – Silver Sponsors; and 3hc, Benchmark Community Bank, Carolina Sunrock, Express Employment Professionals, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission and Waste Industries – Bronze Sponsors. Contributing Sponsors are CenturyLink, Coastal Federal Credit Union, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, Hoyle’s Tire & Axle, NC Motorsports Park and Woodforest Bank.

Promotional Sponsors are Brewer Cycles, Fidelity Bank, Satterwhite Point Marina, Servpro and Union Bank.

All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or jay@hendersonvance.org

St. Baldrick’s Day Event – Sat. May 12 at Fox Pond Park

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The Henderson Police Department, in conjunction with the Aycock Recreation Center and Chick-fil-A of Henderson, is sponsoring a St. Baldrick’s Day event titled Cops vs. Cancer to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping fight childhood cancer.

This year’s event will be held at Fox Pond Park, 467 Vicksboro Rd in Henderson, on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Games and prizes, 50/50 raffles and concessions will be available.

A Kolor4Kure Fun Run will also be held, with open registration from 10 – 10:45 a.m.

Head shaving begins at 1 p.m.

For more information, please call 252-432-1558 or visit the event website for more information or to donate.

Home and Garden Show 05/01/18

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News 05/02/18

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WIZS Celebrates 63 Years On the Air!

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On this first day of May 63 years ago, what is now known as WIZS signed on to the airwaves in a full-time capacity for the first time. The station has been on the air continuously ever since bringing the community local news, sports, music and entertainment.

The Rose family, who purchased the radio station from legislator and Oxford native Stan Fox in 1989, are the fourth owners of the station and are very honored to serve the community.

“We are very thankful to be here in the community and to be able to continue a passion that my dad, John D. Rose, III had,” said WIZS Owner/Operator John Charles Rose. “He was fascinated by the radio and the notion that you could talk in one place and someone could hear you in another.”

In speaking of his father, who has been deceased ten years, Rose said,  “I miss him very much. It’s unbelievable that much time has gone by.”

John D. Rose, III was just 10 years old in 1955 when Harold V. Harrell, a tv and radio repairman from Oxford, started the station under the call letters WHVH. Lawrence Brandon, the owner of WWCO in Connecticut purchased the station from Harrell a few years later. The call letters were changed to WIZS around 1959, shortly after the station was sold to Stan Fox and his business partners Irv Fox and Seymour Dworsky.

In celebration of WIZS’ 50th anniversary in 2005, The Daily Dispatch in Henderson printed a publication in honor of the station that included a more detailed history and special memories from local citizens and businesses.

Today, WIZS is still in business, thanks in part to the focus on bringing concise, local news to the community. Recent changes to the programming structure were made with this in mind. Exciting things are happening at WIZS, including a new Beach Music Blast segment. Stay tuned…

Constructing Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) – Pilot Program in Vance Co.

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Vance County is the first recipient of a pilot program titled Constructing Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) aimed at helping local youth ages 16 – 24 earn their high school equivalency diploma while receiving hands-on job training in the construction industry.

Offered in part through the Triangle Literacy Council based out of Durham, NC, Jason Williams, program manager, was recently on air to discuss the P2P program.

“Those who participate in this program will get a national certification and learn soft skills such as interviewing techniques,” said Williams. “This program is aimed at helping young people get back on the right track, complete their education and gain job skills.”

According to Williams, participants receive $50 per week to take education classes to help them with their literacy and math skills, with the ultimate goal being to earn their high school equivalency diploma.

Through the P2P program, participants take education classes to help earn their high school equivalency diploma while constructing low-income housing through partnerships with local organizations such as the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board.

“This is a six-month, full-time program with 15 participants at a time,” said Williams. “It runs four days a week with two days dedicated to the education component and two days spent on the construction site.”

Upon successful completion of the program, participants earn a construction certificate that makes them “highly employable” and receive assistance in securing a job.

According to P2P’s brochure, participants can earn up to $200/month while attending the program, and all P2P graduates will receive a laptop upon completion of the program.

To qualify, an applicant must be between the ages of 16 and 24, not have completed a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma, or, if diploma has been earned, need help improving literacy and math skills and have an interest in learning the construction trade.

There is a one-week pre-selection screening program, including physical exercise, life skills, testing, training program and orientation.

More information about the P2P program, including an application, can be found at the Triangle Literacy Council’s website at www.triangleliteracy.org/p2p. With additional questions, please call Williams directly at (252) 204-2967.

Vance-Granville Community Band To Perform Spring Concert On May 7

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Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Variety will be the key as the Vance-Granville Community Band, under the direction of Brian D. Miller, performs its annual Spring Concert on Monday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall in Henderson.

Show tunes, marches and some classics are on the program in the McGregor location at 201 Breckenridge Street. The downtown venue has become the local home of the Vance-Granville Community Band, and the band is proud to represent the multi-county area served by Vance-Granville Community College, noted Miller.

Admission is free.

The concert will feature the famous “Entry of the Gladiators March” and Sousa’s “King Cotton March.” Miller has also programmed the rarely-heard “Tar Heel March,” a march written for the University of North Carolina in 1927.

“No concert is ever complete without a Sousa March,” Miller explained, “but in this concert, we are featuring some other great marches as well. Audiences love marches because they are traditional and are the original music written for band.”

Miller is now in his third year as director of the VGCC band. Under his direction, the Vance-Granville Band has grown numerically as well as musically and has a solid reputation in the four-county area for its musicianship, noted Betsy Henderson, VGCC’s department chair for Humanities and Fine Arts.

In addition to the marches, patrons will hear the sentimental waltz song, “Melody of Love,” which Miller describes as “good old-fashioned turn-of-the-century band music.” Band member Bob Salzmann will conduct two of his own transcriptions for band, “God’s Amazing Grace” and “Ashokan Farewell.” Associate director Tracie Winstead will conduct a medley of music from “Sing” as well as an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s famous “1812 Overture.” The Vance-Granville Woodwind Quartet will perform on the concert as well. 

Rounding out the concert will be selections from the hit musical “Annie,” and two solo features accompanied by band: Vocalist Raynah Adams will sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and trombone soloist Tim Evans will perform “On The Road To Mandalay.” The grand finale of the concert will be the rarely-heard “Trieste Overture” by Pietro Diero. Miller comments that “this grand overture is a classic! It has all the features of the old-fashioned band overtures once performed by Sousa and Fillmore.”

Miller taught band at Louisburg High School for 20 years and, during his tenure, the band became well-known in the state for its performance of traditional band music including classical transcriptions and Sousa marches. In addition to his duties at Vance-Granville as band director and music instructor, Miller teaches band and humanities at Crosscreek Charter School in Louisburg, is the organist for Louisburg Baptist Church, plays piano often for evening services at North Henderson Baptist Church, and is the organist for Louisburg College.

“There is such a great variety of music at this concert,” Miller said. “We want a big audience. We indeed are delighted to share these musical offerings with our community and want our friends and patrons in our service area to enjoy the work of the fine musicians in the Vance-Granville Community Band.”

 

News 05/01/19

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