Special prosecutor named for May trial of disgraced Bentonville businessman in Medicaid Fraud case (Legal Saga of LaDonna Humphrey and Anthony Christopher)

After several months of legal wrangling and delays in the court because of the Covid 19 pandemic, a special prosecutor has been appointed in the Felony Medicaid and Identity Fraud case of the former Bentonville child therapy clinic owner who stands accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in public funds.

Anthony "Rocko" Christopher, who was accused of three counts of Class D Felony Financial Identity Fraud and one count of Class A Felony Medicaid Fraud way back in December of 2017, is set to go to trial on May 25 in courtroom of the Fifth Division Circuit Court of Pulaski County. The Honorable Wendell Griffith will be the sitting judge.

On Wednesday, Arkansas Assistant Attorney General Valerie L. Kelley was named Special Deputy Prosecutor in the case, which has made a malingering journey through the court system since Christopher was finally arrested after a warrant was issued in March of 2020.

Christopher, who now "owns" a gay nightclub in Eureka Springs, is also one of several individuals being sued by the former owner of that establishment who claims he was illegally ejected from the business last year.

Class A felonies in Arkansas are punishable by six to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000. Class D felonies are the least serious felonies in Arkansas, punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 on each count.

Technically, Christopher could face decades of imprisonment and fines totally $45,000 if found guilty.