News Summary
Federal authorities have charged eight suspects in a Medicaid fraud scheme that allegedly embezzled over $21 million across North and South Carolina since 2017. The scheme involved falsifying claims for behavioral health care using the personal information of patients. Charges include conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, and the case is part of a nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud. This highlights the ongoing issue of fraud targeting vulnerable populations, negatively impacting patient care and public trust.
Charlotte – Federal authorities have charged eight suspects in connection with a widespread Medicaid fraud scheme that allegedly embezzled over $21 million across North and South Carolina since 2017. The scheme involved the submission of thousands of false claims for behavioral health care, utilizing the personal information of South Carolina Medicaid patients.
The fraudulent activities spanned over seven years, and U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized that many patients either did not receive the services billed or that their services were excessively misrepresented. The claims were submitted through a network of companies operated out of the Charlotte area, taking advantage of the loophole that allows South Carolina Medicaid patients to access care from providers in North Carolina if they are located within 25 miles of the border.
The suspects charged in the case consist of four individuals from North Carolina: Donald Calvin Saunders, 62, of Charlotte; Dajuan Strickland, 47, also of Charlotte and Buffalo, New York; Latarsa Hitchcock, 56, of Jacksonville; and David Corey Hill, 54, of Concord. The other four suspects include Vanessa Ragin-Boatright, 59, Cynthia Jenkins Harris, 60, and Karen McClary, 51, all from South Carolina, and Stephanie Corbett, 59, from Georgia.
All eight suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and for illegally paying and receiving kickbacks. Notably, David Corey Hill has agreed to plead guilty and is expected to face court proceedings in the near future.
In a separate case, Crystal Sherrell Jackson, 39, of Charlotte, faces multiple charges including healthcare fraud and money laundering after allegedly billing North Carolina Medicaid over $1.9 million for fraudulent drug tests and psychotherapy services. An investigation revealed that many of the patients associated with her claims were either deceased or incarcerated during the time frame of the alleged services.
The recent indictments are part of a broader nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud, which has led to charges against 324 suspects nationwide, accounting for over $14.6 billion in fraudulent claims. As part of this operation, law enforcement authorities have seized assets exceeding $245 million, which includes both cash and luxury items.
This case highlights the issue of healthcare fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly mentally ill children. Attorney General Jeff Jackson pointed out that fraud against the healthcare system represents a severe crime that adversely affects patient care and undermines public trust.
As investigations continue, authorities aim to recover lost funds and preserve the integrity of the Medicaid programs to ensure support for those who genuinely require assistance. The focus remains on addressing fraud in the system to protect both the patients in need and the resources allocated for their care.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Service Disruptions Expected in Charlotte Due to Social Security Cuts
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Spark Worries for Families in Charlotte
Champion House of Care Supports Seniors in Charlotte
House Republicans Face Internal Divisions Over Medicaid Cuts
Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News
- Wikipedia: Healthcare Fraud
- ABC11
- Google Search: healthcare fraud North Carolina
- WBTV
- Google Scholar: healthcare fraud investigation
- WSOC TV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Medicaid
- WCTI 12
- Google News: healthcare fraud North and South Carolina
- My Fox 8
Author: HERE Charlotte
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