Former Employee of Manchester Medical Practice Indicted on Mail Fraud, Theft Charges

A former employee of a Manchester medical practice has been indicted on charges of mail fraud and mail theft, according to the Eastern District of the U.S. Attorney General’s Office.

Susan Hampe, of Des Peres, allegedly stole about $70,000 in patient insurance checks between May 2008 and May 2010, according to the indictment. Hampe, 62, was the office manager at Health Center in Manchester.

Hampe allegedly forged the signature of a member of the practice on the insurance checks, indicating that the proceeds be turned over to her, according to the indictment. She then deposited the checks into her bank account. She also allegedly submitted bogus insurance claims associated with existing patients and signed the payments over to herself.

A federal grand jury has indicted Hampe on two counts of mail fraud and two counts of mail theft in the case. If convicted, she could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 for each count of mail fraud, a maximum of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000 for each count of mail theft and full restitution of the amount allegedly embezzled.