JANESVILLE, Wis. — A Milton woman is facing fraud and tax evasion charges for her alleged involvement in a kickback scheme while she worked as a vice president at Mercyhealth.
Barbara Bortner, 57, and Ryan Weckerly, 46, are both facing multiple charges tied to an alleged kickback scheme during Bortner’s time as Vice President of Marketing at Mercyhealth and Weckerly’s time as owner of Morningstar Media Group.
According to U.S. District Court officials, Bortner and Weckerly devised a plan in February 2015 where Weckerly would send inflated invoices to Mercyhealth for marketing work he did for the health care provider. The pair allegedly agreed that the extra money from the inflated invoices would go to Bortner, who promised in return to use Morningstar Media Group as the health care provider’s primary marketing agency.
The pair’s scheme involved over $3 million until it ultimately ended in June 2020.
Both were charged Wednesday. Bortner is facing wire fraud and tax evasion charges. Weckerly is facing charges of wire fraud and aiding and abetting in the preparation of a false income.
Both Bortner and Weckerly have agreed to plead guilty to the wire fraud and tax charges. Their plea hearings have not yet been scheduled.
Charges against Bortner and Weckerly came as the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation.
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