Texas Lawyer Gets Prison for Mail, Medical Fraud

An East Texas lawyer convicted in a mail and medical fraud scheme has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.

A federal judge in Tyler on Wednesday also ordered 55-year-old Steven Rushing of Longview to repay more than $929,000. Rushing in February pleaded guilty to mail fraud.

Investigators say Rushing negotiated settlements in civil cases and told clients he would use part of the insurance money they were due to pay off their medical bills. The funds to settle the cases were sent to the attorney who then paid a portion to his clients.

Prosecutors say Rushing diverted some of the money meant to pay hospital and other medical costs to his personal use in cases since 2011.