PHILADELPHIA - The United States filed a civil fraud lawsuit today against Wilbert D. McKinzie, an Amtrak employee, of Chester, Pennsylvania, alleging that he submitted claims for sickness compensation to which he was not entitled, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the complaint, McKinzie was working another job as a home health aide while submitting claims for sickness compensation from the United States Railroad Retirement Board. McKinzie collected $9,517.60 that he was not eligible to receive.
The United States filed the lawsuit under the False Claims Act. Under the False Claims Act, a person who causes false or fraudulent claims to be submitted to the government for payment is liable for three times the government’s damages, plus civil penalties for each false claim. The allegations against McKinzie are allegations only and not findings of liability. To resolve the matter, McKinzie has agreed to enter into a consent judgment.
The allegations arose from an investigation led by the United States Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Richard M. Bernstein and Michael S. Macko.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
