AZ Pastor Jailed for Home Bible Study Now Charged with Felonies for Fraud?
We can't believe this news! (First, of all we hated to put this news on the CS Report but until we here the truth otherwise, this will have to stick.) We realize that getting health care is a challenge in these economic times but if this is true, this is shameful. Many of us have been appalled at how the city of Phoenix has treated the Salman's over the home bible study. We know he was an ex-gangster. Did he pick up his old ways again? We surely hope this gets cleared up and in his favor. We are not surprised though that while he is in jail, they would find something on him. That's how it works if they really want to punish you beyond the norm.
Read report below:
A pastor who was recently in a public battle with the City of Phoenix over home bible studies is among those accused of defrauding $118,000 from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.
Michael Salman, 39, and his wife Suzanne, 34, allegedly misrepresented their household income to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
They received health insurance benefits for themselves and their children from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. The Salmans caused AHCCCS to pay out $73,000 for medical coverage.
Allegations claim that the pastor's brother, Frank Salman, 37, also misrepresented his income to DES between May 2007 and March 2012. He received health care coverage from AHCCCS of $45,000.
"It is unacceptable for anyone who does not legitimately need AHCCCS assistance to devise this kind of scheme that ultimately rips off taxpayers and depletes badly-needed resources for the truly need," said Horne in the release.
The state alleges that Michael Salman also submitted a false statement to the DES and AHCCCS about his employment to the National Bureau of Merchant Services. Both Salman and his wife were board members on NBMS.
The State Grand Jury indicted the Salmans' for fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft, forgery and perjury.
"My office is determined to root out and bring to justice anyone who perpetrates fraud on the state and its taxpayers," said Horne.
Michael Salman was previously in the news for his dispute with the City of Phoenix over a church in his backyard.
He was eventually sentenced to 60 days in jail after a judge determined that he was holding church services without the proper permits, and in a space with numerous code violations.
Let's keep him in our prayers.
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