PARMA, OHIO – A Parma-based recruiter has been hit with serious charges after authorities say he swindled the Cleveland Clinic out of nearly $180,000 through a fraudulent recruitment scheme. Richard Zukowski, 49, faces one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his alleged role in the elaborate scam.
Zukowski owned and operated The David Anthony Group, Inc., or DAG, which had a contract with the Cleveland Clinic from 2008 until January 2013. The clinic paid DAG commissions for successfully recruiting certified registered nurse anesthetists to work at its Anesthesiology Institute. However, investigators claim Zukowski conspired with a top administrator, R.B., to defraud the Clinic out of $179,040.
According to the charges, R.B. provided false information on 10 individuals to Zukowski, who then submitted fraudulent invoices through DAG. Despite no actual recruitment taking place, the Clinic sent checks totaling $179,040 to Zukowski. He later returned a portion of the money to R.B., keeping approximately one-third for himself.
Zukowski is accused of withdrawing around $60,000 in cash and delivering it to R.B. in envelopes. If convicted, he could face significant prison time determined by the court, considering factors like his prior criminal record and role in the offense.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Kleinmann after an investigation led by the FBI. The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud carries a serious penalty, but it’s just the beginning for Zukowski as he awaits trial.
An ‘information’ is a formal document outlining the charges against a defendant and is not evidence of guilt. Zukowski is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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