U.S. Attorney Schimel: Delafield man sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks

Johnson is 72 years old. what a way to end your career. Glad they got him.



U.S. Attorney Schimel: Delafield man sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks


https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/u-s-attorney-schimel-delafield-man-sentenced-to-18-months-imprisonment-for-conspiracy-to-pay-healthcare-kickbacks/
February 3, 2026


Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 30, 2026, United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced Bruce Johnson (age 72) to 18 months’ incarceration for conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS).

Johnson and his co-defendant, Michael Comino, owned Kestrel Medical LLC, a company in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, that supplied durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotic devices such as braces for ankles, knees, backs, and shoulders. Johnson signed certifications on behalf of Kestrel stating that he would abide by all Medicare laws and regulations, including the AKS. In 2018, Johnson began paying kickbacks to multiple companies purporting to provide marketing services to Kestrel. The payments to the companies were for signed prescriptions for DME that Kestrel submitted to Medicare.

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At sentencing, Judge Stadtmueller noted the serious nature of Johnson’s criminal conduct and the need to deter others who might commit similar offenses. Judge Stadtmueller also ordered Johnson to serve three years on supervised release after his prison term and to pay over $2 million in restitution to Medicare. ......................

U.S. Attorney Schimel stated, “Fraudsters like these are stealing directly from all of us out of utter greed. As our nation debates how to make health care affordable, a critical first step is to stop fraud. Federal investigators and prosecutors have made it a top priority to get those who commit public benefits fraud locked up.”......................

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