Ted Suhl, the former head of a mental health services company in Arkansas, argued today to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that his bribery conviction should be overturned. The case was taken under advisement.
Suhl’s attorney argued that the federal government hadn’t proved a quid pro quo for official acts despite testimony about money Suhl channeled through an intermediary to a former Department of Human Services official and legislator, Stephen Jones, for information about state oversight of his business. The Suhl enterprise relied on millions in Medicaid money flowing through DHS.
The government didn’t allege a quid pro quo against
Suhl was sentenced to seven years in prison last October. His attorneys argued that the money at issue was charitable donations to a church and
Suhl made millions and accrued significant political influence, as operator of the inpatient Lord’s Ranch, later renamed Trinity Behavioral Services, and the outpatient Arkansas Counseling Services and Maxus. After the federal government’s bribery investigation became known, the state ceased doing business with Suhl enterprises, putting them out of business.
Suhl, 52, is being held at a federal installation in Springfield, Mo.
John Keller, arguing for the government, said Suhl wasn’t entitled to specific wording in the jury instructions. He said the concept of “corrupt intent” was adequately covered in the judge’s instructions. He also said the defense could have asked more questions of Philip Carter, the cooperating witness, about his other criminal activities.
Correction: The name if Suhl’s lawyer was misspelled originally.