SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri representative was convicted of defrauding the government on Tuesday.

Patricia Derges represented the Nixa area in the Missouri House of Representatives. A federal trial jury found her guilty of fraudulently receive approximately $300,000 in federal coronavirus aid for his nonprofit medical and dental clinic serving the poor, homeless and uninsured. The funds received by Derges were part of a $900,000 COVID-19 fraud scheme.

Friday, July 1, Derges resigned from his seat at home.

“It’s about an elected official who stole money from the public, an alleged humanitarian who deceived and lied to her patients, and a medical professional who illegally distributed drugs,” said US attorney Teresa Moore.

Derges was found guilty of 10 counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of distributing drugs over the Internet without a valid prescription, and two counts of making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer. laws, according to a press release from the US Department of Justice. .

Derges’ sentencing date has not been set. This sentencing hearing will be scheduled after a pre-sentence hearing. She faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the Springfield organization, called Lift Up, did not provide COVID-19 tests to its patients, but Derges Medical Clinics did. Derges was accused of concealing the reimbursements her clinics had already received for these services.

Derges was also found guilty of selling fake stem cell treatments in medical clinics, she operated in Springfield, Branson and Ozark – a program totaling about $200,000. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Derges actually gave sterile amniotic fluid to patients who suffered from, among other things, tissue damage, kidney disease, COPD, Lyme disease, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.