A Las Vegas couple was recently indicted for a Medicaid fraud scheme they allegedly conducted over the course of several years, fueling their opulent lifestyle of private jets, jewelry, designer clothing, and real estate, prosecutors from the Department of Justice said.

Latisha and Timothy Harron reportedly flaunted this wealth online via their social media accounts, but prosecutors argued that the couple could not afford this lifestyle through legal means. Instead, the DOJ’s lawsuit claimed that their wealth was attained through a major Medicaid fraud scheme in which they back billed Medicaid for $13 million in home health services that were never actually provided—because the patients supposedly claiming the benefits were already dead, DOJ prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, the Harrons used the obituary listings in North Carolina to find the names of the recently deceased. Then, the husband and wife would find their personal information and use it to determine whether they had been eligible for Medicaid benefits when they were alive through the NC Medicaid eligibility tool, prosecutors said. If they had been eligible, the couple would allegedly then back bill NC Medicaid for fake services they claimed were necessary prior to the person’s death.

While Medicare and Medicaid fraud are a major issue, this particular scheme was shocking to those involved in the case.

DOJ: Medicaid Fraud Was ‘Brazen and Egregious’

“This case represents one of the most brazen and egregious cases of home health Medicaid fraud ever seen in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr.  “The indictment alleges a $13 million fraud that funded a gluttonous, social media-marketed lifestyle—one filled with private jets, penthouses and luxury resorts.

“Most reprehensible is the fact that this crime is alleged to have been carried out on the backs of our most vulnerable: the poor, the deceased, the elderly, and the disabled. Even in the face of a global pandemic, this office will continue its work to ensure that defendants like these will be held to fully account for their actions.”

Dozens of charges were filed against the couple, including 54 counts of wire fraud, one count of health care fraud, six counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and 11 counts of conducting transactions in criminally derived property with fraud and money laundering, prosecutors said.

The potential jail time for these charges is extensive: each count of wire fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years.

Before this, Latisha had been convicted of identity theft (as well as charged with making false statements relating to health care matters, referring to lies about her initial identity theft conviction), and Timothy had been convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the Daily Mail.

“Stealing taxpayer money from a health care program designed to care for the poor and disabled just to bankroll a private jet and other luxury products—as alleged in this case—is reprehensible,” said Derrick L. Jackson, a special agent in charge at the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, in a statement.

Filing a Whistleblower Lawsuit

If you have witnessed Medicare or Medicaid fraud or some other type of fraud against the government, either by your employer or another company, you may be able to file a claim on behalf of the government. There are anti-retaliation laws in place to protect whistleblowers from any sort of push back they may face as a result of speaking up.

Filing a whistleblower lawsuit may feel like a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.