Dr. William McMiller, an Oak Park physician, was found guilty of defrauding Illinois out of more than $1.2 million in Medicaid funds.
McMiller was charged along with his niece, Jonise Williams, in 2020. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Angela Petrone found McMiller guilty of theft of government property by deception and theft of government property by unauthorized control, each of which are Class X felonies punishable by six to 30 years in prison, according to a news release.
“Millions of Illinoisans – seniors, children and families – rely on Medicaid to obtain their health care,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in the release. “It is unconscionable a physician who is charged with providing care would take advantage of patients and the people of Illinois.”
Petrone also found McMiller guilty of vendor fraud, a Class 1 felony punishable by four to 20 years in prison, according to a news release. McMiller’s court date is scheduled for Feb. 29.
According to authorities, the physician owns Dr. Bill’s Learning Center, with locations in Oak Park and in Chicago. The center provides clinical therapy, psychiatric services and tutoring to children, according to the release. McMiller, along with his niece, submitted claims to Illinois’ Medicaid program for psychotherapy and medical services that were not provided, according to the release.
“Physicians who defraud federal health care programs not only waste valuable taxpayer dollars, but they also divert resources meant to pay for medically necessary care for eligible enrollees,” Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Inspector General, said in the release.
