Stumbo Announces Indictment of Jefferson County Man Who Struck Mentally Retarded Patient

FRANKFORT, KY (June 1, 2005) - Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today the May 24, 2005 Jefferson County Grand Jury indictment of John Lee Venson, 45, of Jefferson County, Kentucky. According to the indictment, Venson struck a mentally retarded patient of Community Alternatives of Kentucky, causing him to suffer a bloody nose. The indictment was sought by the Medicaid Fraud & Abuse Control Division of the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation, within the Office of the Attorney General.

Mr. Venson has been charged with Knowingly Abusing an Adult by an Adult Caretaker, a Class ‘C’ felony carrying a punishment of from five to ten years in prison and/or a fine of from $1,000 to $10,000. Mr. Venson was arraigned this morning in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

The case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Lettricea Jefferson-Webb and Kentucky Bureau of Investigation Agent Rodney Lawrence, both in the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit.

Suspected Medicaid fraud or patient abuse can be reported by calling the Attorney General’s tip line at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).