JACKSON, MS – Six Mississippi residents are collectively footing the bill for a brazen scheme to defraud the state’s Medicaid program, agreeing to pay a combined $173,627 to settle allegations of false claims. The settlements, announced by Acting United States Attorney Patrick A. Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi, target individuals accused of deliberately misrepresenting their income to qualify for benefits they didn’t deserve.
The accused include Rajwinder Kaur and Kawaldeep Singh; Narinder Kaur and Prabhdeep Momi; Bobby and Priyalpreet Babber; Gurinder and Mehaknoor Babber; and Navdeep Basra. All are former Medicaid recipients who, authorities say, knowingly falsified financial information on applications and renewals. Despite owning or being involved in businesses – convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and restaurants – they allegedly claimed minimal income, triggering unwarranted Medicaid coverage for their dependents.
This isn’t a case of honest mistakes. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid (MDOM), the state agency responsible for administering the program, is funded by both state and federal dollars and designed to assist genuinely low-income individuals and families. By inflating their financial hardship, these defendants allegedly diverted resources from those who legitimately need them.
“Individuals who fraudulently obtain Medicaid benefits that they are not entitled to divert funds meant to pay for services for legitimate enrollees, including the elderly and disabled,” warned Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to investigate Medicaid enrollment fraud schemes to protect the integrity of this vital, taxpayer-funded program.”
The investigation was spearheaded by the HHS-OIG, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deidre Colson and Keesha Middleton of the Southern District of Mississippi handling the cases. While the settlements total $173,627.00, it’s crucial to note that these are allegations only. No determination of liability has been made, but the financial hit serves as a stark warning to others contemplating similar schemes.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. The Mississippi Medicaid program, like many others nationwide, remains a target for those seeking to exploit the system, and federal investigators are increasingly focused on rooting out such fraud to ensure resources reach those who truly need them.
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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