Louisiana Attorney General LIZ MURRILL (courtesy of Louisiana Office of the Attorney General)
Attorney General Liz Murrill announces that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. During a news conference at the Capitol, Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money from the program.
“One of these individuals is accused of stealing more than $415,000 from the program. Another person was accused of stealing almost $100,000 from the program,” Murrill said.
Murrill says Medicaid fraud is by no means a victimless crime.
“Every dollar that is stolen by fraud is a dollar that’s taken away from a child, a senior, or a family that relies on these critical services and support,” Murrill stated.
Murrill says she has made fighting Medicaid fraud a top priority ever since she was elected.
“Since I took office, my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has indicted, arrested or charged 95 individuals for offenses involving Medicaid fraud and abuse or neglect in residential care facilities,” Murrill noted.
Murrill says her office has also secured 105 convictions and $73 million in restitution orders.
Murrill also announced that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been elevated to a standalone division within the Louisiana Department of Justice, and that Matt Stafford has been promoted to lead the newly created division.
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