Iowa Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges

The owner of a Vinton, Iowa, restaurant has pleaded guilty to federal immigration and Medicaid fraud charges.

The U.S. attorney’s office in the Northern District of Iowa says 41-year-old Phung Ca Long, of Vinton, pleaded guilty to conspiring to harbor illegal immigrants for commercial gain and making false statements to Medicaid relating to health care.

Prosecutors say Long made false statements to get Medicaid health benefits totaling more than $23,000.

Long entered her plea in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

A date for sentencing has not been set.

Long faces up to 15 years in prison, a $500,000 fine and restitution. She remains free on bond. A telephone message left for her Monday was not immediately returned.