SPRINGFIELD – Investigators have determined that Illinois Department of Human Services officials approved $1.7 million in payments to a transportation business despite the company's conviction for Medicaid fraud.

A report Tuesday by Executive Inspector General Ricardo Meza indicates that Downstate Transportation Services got $1.7 million to take patients to mental health facilities even after a 2008 conviction for fraudulently billing Illinois $400,000.

The officials included the agency's director of mental health, Lorrie Rickman-Jones, and her chief of staff, Robert Vyverberg. A legal liaison and regional director also received verbal or written reprimands.