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Kalispell Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Identity Theft in Patient Record Scheme

A Kalispell woman has admitted to her role in a scheme involving stolen credit and debit cards activated using patient information from a local hospital. The case has raised concerns about data security and fraud.

Alecia Mae Leonetti, 50, pleaded guilty on December 20 to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the plea, with U.S. Magistrate Kathleen L. DeSoto presiding over the case.

Leonetti now faces significant penalties, including potential prison time, hefty fines, and supervised release.

Details of the Fraud Scheme

The scheme unfolded between September and December 2020, when Leonetti collaborated with Krista Hall, her co-defendant. Hall, who worked at Kalispell Regional Medical Center (now Logan Health), accessed sensitive patient records to assist in the fraud.

Leonetti’s role involved obtaining stolen credit and debit cards and enlisting Hall to retrieve personal details about the cardholders from the hospital’s database. This information was used to activate the stolen cards, which Leonetti then utilized for purchases or cash withdrawals.

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In one documented instance, Leonetti activated a Glacier Bank credit card belonging to a John Doe. Over two days, she accumulated over $2,400 in charges at various Kalispell businesses.

Potential Sentencing and Legal Implications

Leonetti’s guilty plea comes with serious legal consequences:

  • Wire Fraud: A maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
  • Aggravated Identity Theft: A mandatory minimum of two years in prison, served consecutively to other sentences, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. Leonetti has been released pending further court proceedings.

Co-Defendant Maintains Innocence

Krista Hall, Leonetti’s co-defendant and alleged accomplice, has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. Hall’s position as an employee at the hospital gave her access to sensitive patient data, which prosecutors claim was pivotal to the fraud.

The outcome of Hall’s trial could further illuminate the extent of her involvement in the scheme.

Broader Implications for Patient Data Security

This case has highlighted vulnerabilities in handling sensitive information within healthcare facilities. Hospitals, trusted to safeguard patient records, may need to reassess internal controls to prevent misuse by employees.

The collaboration between the FBI and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation underscores the seriousness of the crime. With personal data increasingly targeted in fraudulent schemes, robust enforcement and prevention measures are critical.

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