BENTON, Ill. (WJPF) – A Herrin woman has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after she admitted to submitting false medical documents, obstructing justice, and committing Medicare fraud.

Theresa Kelly, 57, was employed full time as a psychologist at the Marion VA Medical Center. Federal prosecutors say from November 2016 through August 2020 Kelly submitted false documents and forged the signature of other doctors in order to get herself more time off of work and special work accommodations.

In a separate matter, prosecutors say Theresa Kelly also operated a small business called TS Onsite Mental Health. Through that business, they say she submitted more than 400 bogus claims, worth more than $54,000, to Medicare for psychiatric services for patients at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin that were never actually provided.

Theresa Kelly pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one count of concealing a material fact by trick, scheme or device; three counts of making or using a false writing or document; one count of obstruction of justice and one count of health care fraud. In addition her term of imprisonment, Kelly was ordered to repay $35,795.94 in restitution to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as repayment for her fraudulent claims.