Stryker siblings face GOP allegations

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Republicans allege two members of Michigan's Stryker family may have links to a fraud case in South Dakota involving Medicare and the Stryker Corp.

Stryker is a medical products company.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reported that representatives for Jon and Patricia Stryker are calling the accusations "absolutely false." The newspaper said neither Stryker owns more than 8 percent of the company, nor are they employed there or on the board of directors.

Jon Stryker has contributed to groups protecting gay rights. Anti-gay rights U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., has called for an investigation into the fraud case to see if it extends further, even though his office concedes it has no evidence of family fraud, the newspaper said.

The fraud case reportedly involves a medical clinic in South Dakota and the Stryker Corp. aggreeing to repay Medicare $345,000. The government says the clinic took money from the Stryker Corp. in exchange for using the company's orthopedic products.

Jon and Patricia Stryker, siblings, are political activists known for giving millions of dollars to Democratic causes in Michigan. Republicans are now urging Democrats to give back possibly "tainted" donations from the Stryker family.