Attorney General Masto Announces Conviction of Home Healthcare Worker for Medicaid Fraud


May 21, 2014

Las Vegas, NV – Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced today Encarnacion Ferrer, 51, of Las Vegas was sentenced for Medicaid Fraud. Ferrer pled guilty to a misdemeanor offense of Medicaid Fraud–Submitting False Claims.

    “My office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a tip that Ferrer had submitted fraudulent claims on behalf of a client who was out of the country,” said Masto. “An investigation revealed Ferrer had submitted false documentation from June 2012 through 2013. She continued, “Cases like these send a message to the health care community that fraudulent activities involving Medicaid recipients will not go unpunished. It is important to preserve these services for the individuals who need them.”

      Ferrer was sentenced for one misdemeanor offense of submitting false Medicaid claims by Justice Court Judge Conrad Hafen. Judge Hafen sentenced Ferrer to six months in jail, suspended, performance of 50 hours of community service and payment of $3,024 in restitution, penalties, and costs.

        Medicaid has a personal care aid program to keep people living independently in their own homes by providing basic services, including bathing, dressing, cleaning and meal preparation. Medicaid contracts with home care companies that in turn employ individuals to provide the actual day-to-day care.

          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. The AG’s office is complaint driven, anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may file a complaint, forms are located online at: http://ag.nv.gov.

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

              FERRER, ENCARNACION
              2014-05-21 Ferrer Encarnacion

                (Photos Courtesy of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

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