Ohio man charged in $1.5M health-plan theft

CLEVELAND (AP) — The owner of a northeast Ohio business that managed health care plans has been charged in federal court with stealing $1.5 million from several companies, a hospital, a nonprofit agency and two school districts.

Robert Hartenstein, 61, was indicted in federal court today on seven counts of theft from a health benefit program.

Hartenstein’s Professional Benefits Association was a third-party administrator for health care plans. Prosecutors say he diverted money for health care claims to pay bonuses to himself and workers, for company expenses, luxury-car leases and a country club membership. He is accused of telling employees to lie to clients about why claims weren’t paid.

Professional Benefits Association had offices outside of Akron and Youngstown.

Hartenstein’s public defender declined to comment.