A $45 million fraud trial has unraveled in Chicago after prosecutors failed to turn over vital grand-jury transcripts to defense lawyers. Defendants Richard and Maribel Tinimbang pleaded guilty to lesser charges. They were initially charged with submitting inflated Medicare bills for home health-care businesses, then spending the proceeds to fund lavish lifestyles.
Prosecutors quickly brokered plea deals in recent days. The Tinimbangs had faced years behind bars. Now, he'll likely spend just months inside and she'll likely avoid prison entirely.
Trial prosecutors say any mistakes were inadvertent. But Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer scolded them and defense lawyers pressed for sanctions. Prosecutors from the Department of Justice in Washington took the lead in the case.
