Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway on Monday announced the indictments of William Qualls and Linda Smith for allegedly defrauding the Kentucky Medicaid Program.
Qualls and Smith, who worked as caregivers for a disabled Medicaid recipient, are each charged with Devising or Engaging in a Scheme to Defraud the Kentucky Medicaid Program and Theft by Unlawful Taking Over $500 but under $10,000.
Indictments were issued in Jefferson County. Smith was arraigned Monday, and she pled not guilty. A pre-trial conference is set for August 15. Qualls did not show up for his arraignment, and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest. If convicted, Qualls and Smith each face up to ten years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html
“I will not tolerate theft from our Medicaid Program,” Conway said. “These are our tax dollars. People who are defrauding the program are stealing from tax payers and affecting services provided to our most vulnerable citizens.”
In its investigation, the Office of the Attorney General reports that both Qualls and Smith submitted false timesheets to the Kentucky Medicaid Program while they worked as caregivers for the disabled. Disabled people who receive these services through Medicaid have an opportunity to achieve a higher quality of life and their families are not forced to place them in institutions to receive care.
