Medicaid fraud? Eustis police arrest two in 'most detailed' scheme official has ever seen
EUSTIS – Police have arrested two women and charged them with a slew of fraud charges involving a complex scheme designed to fraudulently charge thousands of dollars to a company that transports Medicaid patients to doctors’ offices.
Sgt. Matthew Grieves described it as the “most detailed” scheme he has seen in his 14 years as a police officer. And according to police, more than 20 patients were deprived of more than $50,000 in benefits because of the scheme.
Jessica L. Chechile, 34, and Heather L. Steverson, 55, both of Eustis, were arrested April 14.
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Here is how the investigation started
Eustis Police Detective Adam Abdelmessih began investigating Sept. 19 when a man named Blake Miner called police to say that the Wells Fargo bank in Mount Dora sent him a letter about his bank account. However, he said he never opened an account, according to an arrest affidavit in this case.
It was open, he said, in Steverson’s name, claiming to be his power of attorney. The bank showed him notarized POA paperwork, which it typically uses in setting up such accounts.
“Blake said he had no knowledge of the power of attorney, nor did he sign it or give anyone authorization to sign on his behalf,” the arrest affidavit states.
It is not clear why he was targeted by the suspects.
“There is no direct connection,” Grieves said. Somehow, they obtained information about the man, who lives in south Florida.
Miner showed investigators check images for deposits of $3,322 and $5,544 on Aug. 24. The checks are from a company called ModivCare, which is headquartered in Denver, according to the affidavit.
Miner, who said he has some medical licenses, said he has never worked for the company. The state Department of Health lists three licenses for Miner: EMT, paramedic and registered nurse. All are active and clear.
The checks were endorsed by someone named “Jessica” with the rest of the name illegible, and another supposedly by Miner, but his signature was forged, according to the arrest affidavit.
He also showed investigators an image of a personal check written to Steverson for $5,000. Miner’s last name is misspelled on the check.
Police contacted ModivCare. The security officer there reportedly listened to the two women pretending to be patients asking for them to be their drivers, and he began checking trip logs to learn that the times and locations listed would have been impossible to fulfill, the affidavit says.
Miner also received a notice from Hard Rock Casino in Tampa that an account had been opened in his name there, but there were no charges on the account.
The investigation led to a search warrant and then arrests
Police obtained a search warrant for Steverson’s home in the 2000 block of Meadowside Drive, where they say they found documents and other evidence.
Chechile was booked on one count of Medicaid recipient fraud, 11 counts of identity theft, 79 counts of forgery, 79 counts of uttering a forged document, one count of organized fraud involving more than $50,000, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, grand theft of between $20,000 and $100,000, and conduct participating in racketeering activity.
Her bail at the Lake County Jail was set at $91,000.
Steverson was held on similar charges, plus two counts of possession of Oxycodone.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Police official: Alleged fraud is 'most detailed' scheme he's seen
