LAFAYETTE, La. – In a shocking case of deception, a North Carolina woman has pleaded guilty to conspiring with her ex-husband to steal over $140,000 in health benefits from the US Army.
Amanda Elise Morphis, 26, of Sanford, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud on Tuesday. According to the guilty plea, Morphis divorced U.S. Army Sergeant Nathan Chance Louvier on December 6, 2011.
For more than two years after their divorce, Morphis and Louvier falsely represented to the Defense Department, the Army and Tricare that they were married so that Morphis could receive health care benefits from Tricare after her entitlement to benefits had ended.
Between December 7, 2011 and February 2014, Tricare paid $143,387.56, in fraudulent claims for Morphis’ health care benefits.
Louvier pleaded guilty to conspiracy on October 3, 2018. The defendants face a maximum of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and mandatory restitution to repay Tricare $143,387.56 for paid fraudulent claims.
The court set Louvier’s sentencing for January 9, 2019 and Morphis’ sentencing for February 13, 2019.
The Fort Polk – Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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