AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

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Case Referral Actions

The following information identifies prosecution activities during the months of April through June 2004, pertaining to suspected cases of Medicaid fraud referred to the Office of the Attorney General of Washington/Medicaid Fraud Control Unit by the Department of Social and Health Services.

KING COUNTY

State v. Arruda - On May 14, 2004 the defendant was sentenced to 15 days in jail, converted to community service, $4,377.60 in restitution, and another $500 in court costs. The defendant continued to bill Medicaid claiming she was providing services to an individual who had died. The defendant pled guilty to Theft in the First Degree and Medicaid False Statement on March 23, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by Evergreen Healthcare Network.

State v. Dennis - On April 23, 2004 the defendant was sentenced to 20 days in jail, converted to community service, $1,984 in restitution, and another $710 in court costs. The defendant continued to bill Medicaid claiming she was providing services to an individual who had been incarcerated. The defendant pled guilty to Medicaid False Statement on March 31, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Office of Financial Recovery by City of Seattle Aging and Disability Services.

State v. Gearlds - Information alleging one count of Theft in the First Degree and three counts of Medicaid False Statement was filed April 22, 2004, against Gearlds for services paid for which she did not provide. Gearlds received approximately $3,200 due to her fraudulent billing. An arraignment was scheduled in May 4, 2004, however, she failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued. This matter was referred to the MFCU by City of Seattle Aging and Disability Services.

State v. Dominick - On May 13, 2004 the defendant pled guilty to one count of theft in the first degree. The defendant billed Medicaid alleging she was providing services for a deceased client. Dominick received approximately $4,000 for the false claims. Sentencing is set for July 2, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Payment Review Program and Office of Financial Recovery.

State v. Leafa – Information alleging one count of Theft in the First Degree and two counts of Medicaid False Statement was filed May 14, 2004, against Leafa for services paid for which she did not provide. Leafa received approximately $3,200 due to her fraudulent billing. An arraignment was scheduled for May 24, 2004, however, she failed to appear and bench warrant has been issued. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/ Payment Review Program and Office of Financial Recovery.

COWLITZ COUNTY

State v. Chancy - Information alleging one count of Theft in the First Degree and one count of Medicaid False Statement was filed May 26, 2004, against Chancy for services paid for which he did not provide. Chancy received approximately $3,000 due to his fraudulent billing. An arraignment is scheduled on July 8, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Office of Financial Recovery.

PIERCE COUNTY

State v. Parton - On April 14, 2004 the defendant pled guilty to one count of Theft in the Third Degree. Parton billed $2,083.64 in services she did not provide. Parton was sentenced on June 22, 2004 to make restitution in the amount of $2083.64, pay additional fees of $810.00 and confinement of 365 days with 335 days suspended. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Office of Financial Recovery.

State v. Nixon - Information alleging one count of Theft in the First Degree and one count of Medicaid False Statement was filed on June 3, 2004, against Nixon for services paid for which she did not provide. Nixon received approximately $3,000 due to her fraudulent billing. An Omnibus Hearing is scheduled for July 8, 2004 and Trial Date is scheduled for September 7, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Aging and Disability Services.

State v. Tillet - Information alleging one count of Theft in the First Degree and three counts of Medicaid False Statement was filed on June 3, 2004, against Tillet for services paid for which she did not provide. Tillet received approximately $11,000 due to her fraudulent billing. An Omnibus Hearing is scheduled for July 8, 2004 and Trial Date is scheduled for September 7, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Aging and Disability Services.

SPOKANE COUNTY

State v. Stewart - On April 23, 2004 the defendant pled guilty to two counts of Medicaid False Statement. The court sentenced the defendant to 30 days in jail (state asked for 60 days in jail), converted to community service, and ordered him to pay $24,730.00 in restitution and another $610 in assessments and costs. The defendant billed Medicaid, for months, alleging he was providing services for a deceased client. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Payment Review Program and Office of Financial Recovery.

KITTITAS COUNTY

State v. Carroll - On April 16, 2004 the defendant pled guilty to two counts of Medicaid False Statement. The court sentenced the defendant to 30 days in jail, converted to community service, $6,354.05 in restitution and $1,310 in court costs. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Payment Review Program and Office of Financial Recovery.

State v. Chandler - Information alleging one count of Theft in the First Degree was filed on

June 8, 2004 against Chandler for embezzling funds from several medicaid clients’ accounts. Chandler obtained control over approximately $11,000 due to her embezzling. An Omnibus Hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2004 and Trial Date is scheduled for August 30, 2004. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Aging and Disability Services Administration/Complaint Resolution Unit.

WHITMAN COUNTY

State v. Hudkins - On April 21, 2004, after a one day stipulated fact bench trial, Hudkins was convicted of nine counts of Theft in the First Degree. Hudkins billed the state for more than $300,000, over a nine month period of time, for prescriptions that were never ordered nor delivered. Hudkins was sentenced to 38 month in prison, ordered to pay $308,000 in restitution and $710 in assessments and costs. This matter was referred to the MFCU by DSHS/Information Services Division /Payment Review and Audit Section.

** Note ** : The MFCU has a no cost, two hour interactive training presentation, which addresses provider fraud and elder abuse identification and reporting. If your department is interested in receiving this training please contact the MFCU at (253) 593-2154/2317/2262.