HONESDALE -- Wayne County District Attorney Pat Robinson announced the arrest of Shawn Decker, 44, and Bonnie Decker, 63, both of Honesdale on felony fraud, theft and conspiracy charges.
According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, Wayne County Detective Ronald Kominski launched an investigation when it was learned that unusually large amounts of money were being deposited into Shawn Decker.s phone and commissary account while he was incarcerated in the Wayne County Correctional Facility.
Those deposits were made by his mother, Bonnie Decker, and his girlfriend, Bobbie Spalding. It was discovered that prior to his incarceration, Shawn Decker was being paid by Public Partnership, LLC to be the care provider for his mother Bonnie Decker. Public Partnership, LLC is funded through the Pennsylvania Medicare.
Both Deckers were responsible for completing and submitting paperwork to Public Partnership, LLC listing Shawn’s time sheets, requests for care and any needed medical supplies. During the time that Shawn was incarcerated for 10 months, he and Bonnie continued to submit paperwork to Public Partnership, LLC as if he were still caring for Bonnie. Shawn Decker’s girlfriend, Bobbie Spalding, assisted in obtaining Shawn’s signatures on the paperwork.
During the 10 months that Shawn was incarcerated, he was paid a total of $20,616.02 for services he did not render. On September 19, 2019, Shawn Decker and his mother Bonnie Decker were both charged with False or Fraudulent Medical Assistance Claims (Felony 3rd Degree), Submitting Claim With False Information (Felony 3rd Degree), Unentitled Reimbursement (Felony 3rd Degree), Theft By Deception (Felony 3rd Degree), Tampering With Public Records (Felony 3rd Degree), Criminal Conspiracy To Commit Theft By Deception (Felony 3rd Degree) and Criminal Conspiracy To Commit Tampering With Public Records (Felony 3rd Degree).
Both Shawn and Bonnie Decker were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Bonnie Carney, who set bail at $200,000 for Shawn Decker and $50,000 for Bonnie Decker. Both were unable to post bail and were remanded to the Wayne County Correctional Facility. Bonnie Decker’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 9, 2019 at 9:00 am at the Wayne County Courthouse Central Court. Shawn Decker’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 9, 2019 at 3:30 PM at Magisterial District Judge Myers’ court. An active arrest warrant has been issued for Bobbie Spalding.
District Attorney Robinson stated: “This kind of Medicare Fraud is not an insignificant matter. Abuse of Public Funds results in more taxes and prevents people who truly need help from getting the help they need. While there is no allegation that Bonnie Decker did not need help, there is an allegation that Shawn Decker was receiving taxpayer funds for alleged work he performed while incarcerated in the Wayne County Prison.”
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Bobbie Spalding are asked to contact the Wayne County Communications Center at (570) 253-3109.