ELDORADO — An Eldorado woman pled guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to charges that she engaged in a scheme to steal from a federal health care program.

According to court records, 45-year-old Betsy J. Gutowski’s bond was revoked and she remains in the custody pending sentencing, which is currently set for Nov. 15. Gutowski faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

During her plea hearing, Gutowski admitted submitting false and fraudulent bills for personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid waiver program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home.

Gutowski admitted she falsely billed the program between Dec. 1, 2011 and Oct. 15, 2012, when she purportedly rendered personal assistant services to a customer who, in fact, was in a hospital or nursing home at the time. In total, Gutowski improperly billed 349.5 hours of services and obtained $4,036.73 in payments for services not performed.

This prosecution is part of the “Operation Home Alone” initiative.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police – Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Quinley.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, or you may call 1.800-447- 8477.