OXFORD – Indictments were announced today for Raymond Lamont Shoemaker, 38, of Tupelo, former chief executive officer and former chief operating officer of Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville, and Earnest Levi Garner, Jr., 66, of Batesville, in connection with a nursing services kickback and bribery scheme at the Tri-Lakes Medical Center.

The 10-count federal indictment charged Shoemaker with a nursing services kickback and bribery conspiracy, receiving kickbacks for nursing services, conspiracy to commit and committing healthcare fraud, making false statements to the FBI in connection with a federal investigation, making false statements to USDA in connection with a loan, and embezzlement from Tri-Lakes Medical Center.

Shoemaker also was charged with embezzling from Humphreys County Hospital in Belzoni, while he was the administrator of the Humphreys County Hospital.

Garner, a Panola County businessman, was charged with a nursing services kickback and bribery conspiracy, engaging in a healthcare fraud conspiracy and healthcare fraud, and bribery, all in connection with Tri-Lakes Medical Center.

Shoemaker faces up to 80 years in prison and $2.5 million in fines if he is convicted on all counts. Garner faces up to 25 years in prison and $1 million in fines if he is convicted on all counts. Both could be ordered to pay restitution to their victims.

Shoemaker and Garner appeared before Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander in Oxford today and were released on a $50,000 secured bond each. Trial dates have not yet been set.