Attorney General Masto Announces Sentencing of Las Vegas Personal Care Assistant


August 29, 2013

Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced that Niurvis Rodriguez, 36, of Las Vegas, was sentenced today in a Medicaid fraud case involving the submission of false Medicaid claims.

    Rodriguez was sentenced for one misdemeanor offense of submitting false claims, Medicaid fraud, by Justice Court Judge Deborah Lippis. Lippis sentenced Rodriguez to 30 days incarceration, suspended, performance of 20 hours of community service and payment of $1,250.00 in restitution, penalties, and costs.

      “Although the dollar amount might seem small, prosecution of these types of crimes is important in sending a message to the community to deter future crimes against the Medicaid system,” said Masto. “Convictions and repayment of Medicaid funds helps ensure that Medicaid recipients continue to receive these kinds of needed services."

        The Nevada Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s (MFCU) investigation revealed that Rodriguez was not providing personal care services to a Medicaid recipient. Medicaid has a personal care assistant program to keep people living independently in their own homes by providing basic services, including bathing, dressing, cleaning and meal preparation. Rodriguez was employed by a home care company to provide care to a Medicaid recipient. The investigation discovered that Rodriguez had outside employment that conflicted with the care she allegedly was providing to the Medicaid recipient. However, Rodriguez claimed that she performed the services and received payment as if she had actually performed the services.

          The fraud occurred from February 2011 to September 2011.

            Persons convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation.

              The case was investigated and prosecuted by the MFCU, which investigates and prosecutes financial fraud by those providing healthcare services or goods to Medicaid patients. The MFCU also investigates and prosecutes instances of elder abuse or neglect. Anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may contact the MFCU at 775-684-1191 or 702-486-3187.

                The case was prosecuted by Andrew Schulke, Senior Deputy Attorney General.

                  Read the criminal information by clicking here.

                      NIURVIS RODRIGUEZ
                    2013-08-29 Niurvis Rodriguez Face 2013-08-29 Niurvis Rodriguez Profile

                      (Photos courtesy of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

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