News Manakee sale ad causes stir.

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News: Manakee sale ad causes stir

December 28, 2001

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Published Dec. 28 in the News Enterprise

Manakee sale ad causes stir

By BRIAN WALKER

News Enterprise Staff Writer

ELIZABETHTOWN — Being under federal indictment for allegedly using his

private ambulance company to bilk Medicare is not going to stop Manakee

from selling the troubled business, he said.

Prosecutors have taken objection to that notion, saying that if convicted,

Manakee and two business associates face possible forfeiture of the business to

settle debts and fines.

Manakee posted an online classified ad Dec. 21 to sell the business on the

Web site www.hultgren.org. The site tracks national and regional news and

actions of emergency medical workers.

The operator of the site, Hultgren, said the listing was done free

after he verified that the information about the sale was accurate.

Although the ad offers a $10,000 finder's fee, no mention is made of the

company's legal woes.

Manakee, 71, of Sonora, and associates Conna Bradley, 47, and J.

Hawke, 67, both of Upton, were indicted by a grand jury in Louisville's U.S.

District Court in July. The 29 counts charge the three operators of the Manakee

Medical Transfer Service Inc. with health care fraud, conspiracy to commit

health care fraud and mail fraud.

Federal prosecutors said the case is limited to the transportation company

and is not connected to the family funeral business.

Manakee said he sees no reason why he shouldn't sell.

" I don't know of anything that would be wrong with me selling it, even

though I'm under indictment, " he said. " I intend to keep it for sale until they

(prosecutors) tell me I can't. "

Calls to Manakee's Louisville attorney, , were not returned.

When contacted late Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hancy III said

he was unaware that Manakee was attempting to sell the business.

said it is likely that some action will be taken in the matter.

" This brings up some serious legal questions, considering the nature and

severity of the charges, " said.

If convicted on all counts, Manakee and Hawke could get 260 years in

prison and $7 million in fines each. If Bradley is convicted on all counts, the

penalty could be 255 years in prison and $6.75 million in fines.

A trial date of Feb. 11 has been set for the trio in Louisville's U.S.

District Court with Judge Heyburn, said.

can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 237, or e-mail him at

bwalker@....

See related articles:

a.. Manakee indicted on Medicare fraud charges (7.5.01)

b.. EMS Service for sale (12.21.01)

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