By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The trial of a Joplin couple connected to an Anderson group home where a fire in 2006 took the lives of 11 people has been moved to July 12, a federal judge ruled last week.
Defense attorneys for both Robert J. DuPont and Laverne DuPont asked for and were granted a continuance Thursday during a hearing, according to court documents. The pair were originally scheduled to go to trial later this month.
An indictment filed in April 2008 leveled 18 charges against Robert DuPont, including multiple counts of health care fraud and money laundering. His alleged connection with the Anderson Guest House triggered the allegations.
Laverne DuPont is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of health care fraud.
Federal prosecutors have previously indicated they could seek new or additional charges against Robert DuPont, although they have not yet filed any new charges. Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S attorney for the Western District of Missouri, has said it is U.S. Justice Department policy not to comment on pending investigations or charges.
Federal authorities have accused Robert DuPont of playing a central role in the operation of the now-defunct Joplin River of Life Ministries, a not-for-profit organization that operated the Anderson Guest House until it was destroyed by the fire in November 2006.
In addition to Robert and Laverne DuPont, also indicted was Robert DuPont’s stepdaughter, Kelly A. Wheeler, formerly Kelley Liveoak, of Webb City.
The charges against all three hinge on accusations that Robert DuPont continued running several group homes, including the Anderson Guest House, between 2003 and 2006, despite a previous conviction for Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Joplin River of Life Ministries received about $725,000 in Medicaid reimbursements during that three-year stretch.
Federal and state law prohibit individuals who are convicted of crimes related to Medicaid and Medicare programs from acting as operators of licensed Medicaid providers or from participating in any federal health care program.
Laverne DuPont and Wheeler were charged because of their alleged role in the scheme to conceal Robert DuPont’s involvement, according to federal authorities.
Wheeler was sentenced to three years probation in February after pleading guilty to one count of theft of public money.
The charge against Wheeler stemmed from her continued involvement in Medicaid payments after she was legally excluded from that activity based on a 2002 conviction for Medicaid fraud. Wheeler knowingly received $3,752 in wages from Medicaid payments between Aug. 20, 2003, and Dec. 6, 2004, while she was with Joplin River of Life Ministries, according to court documents. She was ordered to pay that amount in restitution.
The DuPonts are also co-defendants in seven civil lawsuits filed on behalf of victims or surviving family members from the Anderson Guest House fire. Those cases are scheduled to go to trial in June.
Background
The Anderson Guest House was destroyed by a fire Nov. 27, 2006, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to a dozen others. State authorities ruled the fire accidental, noting that it most likely was caused by an electrical problem but that the exact cause probably could never be ascertained.
