La. Foursome Charged with Medicaid Fraud

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti, Jr. announced that Mathilda Alexander of New Iberia, La. has been charged with One count of cruelty to the infirmed; 14 counts of Medicaid Fraud; 14 counts of Fraudulent Remuneration; and 14 counts of Filing False Public Records.

Foti also announced charges in a related matter against the following: Charles Loston of Jeanerette, Louisiana has been charged with Two counts of Medicaid Fraud, One count of Theft, and Two counts of Filing False Public Records; Carolyn Fontenette of New Iberia, Louisiana has been charged with Seven counts of Medicaid Fraud, One count of Felony Theft, and Seven counts of Filing False Public Records; and Johnnie A. Davis of New Iberia, Louisiana has been charged with Four counts of Medicaid Fraud, One count of Felony Theft, and Four counts of Filing False Public Records.

According to Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) Investigators, an investigation was conducted by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Protective Services (BPS) regarding the death of one of Alexander’s sons. BPS investigators questioned the surviving son and became concerned that he may be in danger.

The BPS investigator found that the victim’s treating physician ordered that he be given the nutritional supplement, Ensure, since the victim appeared to be emaciated and had severe muscle wasting. When interviewed by the BPS investigator, the victim reportedly indicated that he had not been given the Ensure, because his mother was trying to “find some for free.” The victim also indicated that he was not given his medication as prescribed by his physician. When Alexander was interviewed, she reportedly admitted that she did not administer the medication as prescribed and had not purchased any Ensure but had attempted to locate some without having to pay for it. The victim is five feet nine inches tall and appeared to weigh 65-70 pounds. The Bureau of Protective Services referred this complaint to the MFCU.

Also linked to Alexander are Charles Loston, Carolyn Fontenette and Johnnie A. Davis. MFCU Investigators allege that Davis, Fontenette and Loston, all former employees of Acadiana Circle of Friends, conspired with Alexander to intentionally defraud the Medicaid program by deliberately submitting claims for hours they did not work.

According to MFCU Investigators, Mathilda Alexander contracted with Acadiana Circle of Friends to provide services for her sons who are infirmed and/or disabled. MFCU Investigators learned through an employee of Acadiana Circle of Friends that Alexander chose the persons she wanted to work with her sons.

The company would hire the individuals if they met the facility’s criteria. The fraudulent time sheets were submitted to Acadiana Circle of Friends on a bi-weekly basis. The time sheets were signed by the employee and Alexander. Alexander would submit the time sheets to Acadiana Circle of Friends who then submitted claims to the Medicaid program for payment, based upon falsified time sheets.