Former PFH execs sentenced to prison time

Two former executives of the nonprofit Preferred Family Healthcare Inc. have been sentenced to prison time for their involvement in an embezzlement and bribery scheme.

Bontiea Goss, 65, was sentenced to three years in prison, and her husband, Tom Goss, 68, was sentenced to six years in prison, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Bontiea and Tom Goss, who previously served as PFH's chief operating officer and chief financial officer, respectively, were indicted in 2019.

As part of the sentencing, the Gosses additionally were ordered to jointly pay nearly $4.4 million in forfeiture and/or restitution, Justice Department officials say.

Fired by PFH in early 2019 in the wake of the scheme, the Gosses pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to pay bribes and kickbacks to elected officials in Arkansas, according to the release. Tom Goss also pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from PFH and to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.

PFH in 2022 agreed to pay more than $8 million in forfeiture and restitution to the federal government and the state of Arkansas under the terms of a nonprosecution agreement. The agreement acknowledged the criminal conduct of its former officers and employees.

The Gosses and co-conspirators allegedly offered kickbacks and bribes to politicians in exchange for favorable legislation for PFH, according to past reporting. Among others involved in the conspiracy was former PFH CEO Marilyn Nolan, who pleaded guilty to her role in 2018.

In early 2022, PFH and Burrell Behavioral Health formed a joint venture that established Brightli as their parent company, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.