HARRISBURG — A Harrisburg woman was sentenced to 41 months in prison for her role in a massive health care and bank fraud scheme that bilked nearly $3.4 million from the system.
Ester N. Mbaya, 43, was president of Cool Waters, LLC, a home health care agency that submitted fraudulent Medicaid claims seeking compensation for services that were not provided or were otherwise inflated. Mbaya submitted these fraudulent claims from January 2018 to June 2020, and obtained in excess of $1 million as a result of the fraud.
According to court documents, Mbaya also submitted falsified records to four financial institutions to obtain loans and lines of credit, including altered bank statements and falsified pay checks.
‘This sentencing sends a clear message that home health care providers are required to follow the law and submit only valid claims to Medicaid for reimbursement,’ said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). ‘HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to investigate fraudulent claims made to federally funded health care programs.’
The case was investigated by the U.S. Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sherwood and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio prosecuted the case.
Mbaya was sentenced to 41 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Julia K. Munley on Thursday, February 27, 2025. She was also ordered to pay back $3,349,550 in restitution to the parties she defrauded.
Defendant: Ester N. Mbaya
Criminal Charges: Health care fraud and bank fraud
City and State: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Exact Date: February 27, 2025
Sentence: 41 months in prison
Dollar Amounts: $3,349,550 in restitution, $1 million in fraud proceeds
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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