Jasper County Health Department Employee Faces Criminal Charges

A Jasper County Health Department employee has been charged for allegedly creating false records and billing the State of Illinois for more than $10,000 of work she had not done.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged 31-year-old Hillary Robertson of Effingham in Jasper County Circuit Court with a felony count of Vendor Fraud, punishable by up to seven years in prison, as well as one count of Official Misconduct, punishable by up to five years in prison, and one count of Forgery, punishable by up to five years in prison.

According to Raoul, Robertson allegedly created false computer entries into the Jasper County Health Department's system for services she did not perform. The claims were submitted for payment to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department paid the Health Department more than $10,000 for services that were not provided.

The Jasper County Health Department reported the false claims and will return the money to the state. The Illinois State Police investigated the case.