Daniel Steadley, a 68-year-old resident of El Paso, entered a guilty plea in a federal court on a single count of wire fraud. Court documents reveal that Steadley operated two local companies that marketed and sold a healthcare insurance plan named the Unique Healthcare MEC Plan.
Steadley allegedly misled purchasers by falsely claiming that the Unique Plan complied with the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Furthermore, he misrepresented his credentials, stating that he was a lawyer who had overseen a team of lawyers while working for a U.S. Senator at the White House. Additionally, Steadley claimed to have been a commander in the Navy and a member of a SEAL team.
Several individuals who bought into Steadley's Unique Plan experienced health issues that required medical attention. However, when attempting to utilize their Unique Plan cards, hospitals and healthcare providers did not recognize the coverage, leaving the policyholders with significant medical bills. Reports indicate that around 2,600 individuals in the El Paso area purchased the Unique Plan between December 1, 2014, and August 31, 2020, resulting in identified victim losses totaling $974,193.68.
Steadley now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years for the wire fraud charge.
