SEATTLE – U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik on Monday turned down a request for an early end to probation from a former University of Washington doctor convicted in connection with a Medicaid overbilling investigation.
Lasnik told Dr. H. Richard Winn, former chairman of the university’s neurosurgery department, that he would have to serve his remaining 21/2 years of probation. But the judge also offered to write a letter to New York authorities encouraging them to grant him a medical license.
Winn pleaded guilty two years ago to obstruction of justice for asking others at the university to withhold information from investigators looking into a whistle-blower’s claim that doctors systematically overbilled Medicare and Medicaid by charging for services they didn’t perform, and that they destroyed documents to hide the practice.
Associated Press
Preferences rejected for minorities in road work
Washington state cannot favor minority-owned businesses in awarding road-building contracts because it hasn’t proved that minority contractors have experienced discrimination, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday. Western States Paving Co. of Vancouver, Wash., sued the state Department of Transportation, Clark County and the City of Vancouver after losing several road-paving contracts to minority-owned firms that had submitted higher bids.
Associated Press
Spokane: Judge allows fuel depot to reopen
An Idaho judge on Monday allowed a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. locomotive fueling depot to reopen, even though the facility has leaked fuel into the main drinking water supply for Spokane and surrounding communities. The depot had been closed for more than two months. The depot is located near the Washington-Idaho border in the town of Hauser, Idaho. 1st District Judge Charles Hosack lifted the temporary restraining order that shut down the depot on Feb. 23. He acted after Idaho officials and the railroad struck a deal that increased leak monitoring and detection capabilities.
Associated Press
Vancouver, Wash.: Police shoot man
One man was shot to death after knocking down a Vancouver police officer while trying to flee in a stolen minivan, authorities said. Police Chief Brian Martinek said a stolen minivan was stopped about 11:20 a.m. Sunday near Washington Elementary School, where a passenger got out and the driver sped away with police in pursuit. Police rammed the vehicle to stop it. As police approached, Martinek said, the driver accelerated again, knocking an officer to the ground and under the vehicle. At least one other officer opened fire, and the driver was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital, the chief said.
Associated Press
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