US authorities uncover major Medicaid and state fund fraud schemes

Authorities in Missouri and Arizona have announced significant legal actions involving the fraudulent use of government funds. In Missouri, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced felony charges against 17 individuals accused of Medicaid fraud totaling over $450,000. The schemes allegedly involved identity theft, improper adult daycare billing, and fraudulent claims for services that were never provided, including instances where providers were reportedly out of the country or hospitalized during billed shifts.

In Arizona, federal prosecutors detailed Medicaid fraud cases involving more than $102 million in billings to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, specifically targeting the American Indian Health Program. Rita Ntusa Anagho, owner of Tusa Integrated Clinic LLC, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and healthcare fraud. Anagho was ordered to pay nearly $55 million in restitution. Additionally, Maurice Marcell Williams faces an 11-count indictment for healthcare fraud and money laundering.

Separately, a Missouri state audit uncovered approximately $50,000 in alleged personal purchases made by a former Missouri Department of Transportation supervisor, Artemus Jackson, using state-issued purchasing cards. Jackson has been indicted on four counts of mail fraud following the discovery of the alleged misuse during a statewide audit of taxpayer funds.