Other LanguagesOLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) recently convicted healthcare providers in four separate Medicaid fraud cases, holding accountable four defendants who did not provide the care they were paid to provide to elderly and other vulnerable adults.
“It is deplorable that fraudsters take advantage of the most vulnerable among us for financial gain,” said Attorney General Ferguson. “My office will hold healthcare providers accountable who fail to provide adequate care for vulnerable people and commit Medicaid fraud.”
Sherry Doyle
The Attorney General charged Sherry Doyle in Thurston County Superior Court, alleging that in 2014 this individual healthcare provider neglected to provide personal care to a developmentally-delayed Kitsap County Medicaid recipient. Doyle moved out of state and unlawfully outsourced the care duties to others in Washington who allegedly neglected to provide the proper healthcare services to the man.
On Aug. 27, 2014 Doyle pleaded guilty as charged to First Degree Theft and Medicaid False Statement. The Thurston County Superior Court sentenced Doyle to six months of probation, 30 days of community service and restitution.
The case was investigated by MFCU Investigator David Fenn and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Yarden Weidenfeld.
Burnice Thompson
The Attorney General charged Burnice Thompson in Thurston County Superior Court, alleging that from 2012 to 2013 this individual healthcare provider falsely claimed she was providing healthcare services to an elderly King County Medicaid recipient. Thompson continually gave statements to regulators that she was providing individual care even though the elderly woman had died months earlier.
Thompson was found guilty as charged at trial on Aug. 20, 2014, of First Degree Theft and two counts of Medicaid False Statement. She will be sentenced in Thurston County Superior Court on September 16.
The case was investigated by MFCU Investigator David Fenn and prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Yarden Weidenfeld and Steve Dietrich.
John Robinson
The Attorney General charged John Robinson in Thurston County Superior Court, alleging that from 2012 to 2013 this individual healthcare provider falsely claimed that he was providing healthcare services to an Alzheimer’s-inflicted Clark County Medicaid recipient. Robinson outsourced his healthcare duties to Robin Gray, whom Robinson knew to be a convicted felon that had previously exploited a vulnerable adult. Gray proceeded to then financially exploit the elderly man.
Robinson pleaded guilty as charged to First Degree Theft and Medicaid False Statement on July 24, 2014. That day, the Thurston County Superior Court sentenced Robinson to six months of community custody, 30 days of community service, and restitution.
The case was investigated by MFCU Chief Investigator Richard LaMonica and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Yarden Weidenfeld. Gray, who was prosecuted by the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was sentenced to 17 months in prison for multiple counts of felony identity theft.
Han Bae Kim
The Attorney General charged Han Bae Kim in King County Superior Court, alleging that from 2011 to 2012 this individual healthcare provider unlawfully claimed to be providing healthcare services to an elderly King County Medicaid recipient. Kim claimed payment for several months, even after the woman left the country, and ultimately died overseas. Kim then unlawfully used the woman’s welfare and Social Security benefit cards.
On Aug. 8, 2014 Kim pleaded guilty to four felony theft counts, including a count of First Degree Theft.
That day, the King County Superior Court sentenced Kim to six months of community custody, 30 days of community service, and restitution.
The case was investigated by MFCU Investigator David Fenn and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Marty Raap.
Medicaid Fraud Control in Washington
The Attorney General's MFCU is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of healthcare- provider fraud committed against the state’s Medicaid program. The unit also coordinates with local law enforcement authorities to investigate and prosecute abuse and neglect in cases involving vulnerable adults residing in Medicaid-funded residential facilities.
State Medicaid authorities, including the Health Care Authority and Department of Social and Health Services, assisted significantly in the fraud referrals and enforcement of these matters.
• Report suspected Medicaid fraud: 360-586-8888 or MFCUreferrals@atg.wa.gov.
• You can also report provider fraud via the Attorney General’s Office website: www.atg.wa.gov.
The DSHS Office of Fraud & Accountability investigates client fraud. You can report Medicaid Client Fraud via the Department’s Online Complaint Form or by calling the Welfare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-562-6906 or sending the complaint to Welfare Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 45817, Olympia, Washington 98504-5817.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
CONTACT:
Alison Dempsey-Hall, Acting Communications Director