Woman indicted for identity theft, stealing patient information

James Mayse, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

By James Mayse, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Nov. 16--An Owensboro woman employed in a medical office was indicted by a federal grand jury this week on charges of using patient information to obtain loans.

Ilene W. Bullington of the 200 block of Wilder Drive was indicted Wednesday. Bullington was indicted on six counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of using patient information under false pretenses in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Bullington was investigated earlier this year by the Owensboro Police Department. Commonwealth's Attorney Bruce Kuegel said prosecution of the case was then transferred to federal prosecutors.

The indictment says between February 2010 and August 2012, Bullington "disclosed her employer's patients' identifying information by providing names, birth dates and Social Security numbers to loan companies so (Bullington) could obtain loans for her personal use and advantage."

Kirk McClelland, of the U.S. Secret Service office in Louisville, said in an email Bullington was employed by what was then Owensboro Medical Health System.

The indictment says from Nov. 11, 2011, to March 1, 2012, Bullington "stole the identity of others to apply for and obtain loans from online lenders." The indictment says the loans ranged from $300 to $7,000.

Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A court date for Bullington had not been set as of Friday.