CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a stunning revelation of healthcare fraud, a local business owner has been charged with swindling nearly $2 million from North Carolina’s Medicaid program. The alleged scheme, which targeted vulnerable populations in need of health services, represents yet another blow to the state’s efforts to protect public funds.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson stood alongside South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, FBI Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., and IRS-Criminal Investigation and HHS-OIG representatives to announce the charges. The Justice Department’s national healthcare fraud crackdown resulted in 324 defendants being charged with over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud.
Ferguson emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, ‘Fraudsters not only drain these taxpayer-funded programs but also exploit patients and increase healthcare costs for everyone.’ He praised the collaborative efforts between federal and state partners to uncover and dismantle such schemes.
North Carolina’s Attorney General Jackson highlighted the specific case, saying, ‘This business owner stole nearly $2 million under the guise of providing essential health care services. We are grateful to our Medicaid Investigations Division for bringing her to justice.’
FBI Charlotte Acting Special Agent in Charge Barnacle Jr. echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the dedication of law enforcement to protect the integrity of healthcare programs and bring offenders to justice.
Richard Gaskins from IRS-CI stressed the importance of uncovering misconduct in healthcare funds, adding that they will continue to pursue anyone exploiting federal programs for personal gain.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s Kelly J. Blackmon emphasized the impact of such fraud on healthcare resources, stating that HHS-OIG remains committed to identifying and investigating individuals who engage in fraudulent activities against federal health care programs.
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Related Federal Cases
- Markuetric Stringfellow Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- Georgia Man Admits to $Millions Medicaid Fraud · North Carolina
- Ricky Costello Williams Sentenced in Tax Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- Theresa A. Freeman Sentenced in $43K Unemployment Fraud Scheme · Pennsylvania
- Ex-IRS Worker Hooper Pleads Guilty to $824K Health Care Fraud · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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