Attorney General Laxalt Announces Sentencing of Two Carson City Medicaid Servicing Providers for Medicaid Fraud


November 15, 2016

Carson City, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that two Carson City Medicaid Servicing Providers, Elizabeth Anne Gerton, 40, and Charlene Anne Screeton-Petri, 48, were each sentenced for Medicaid fraud. The fraudulent conduct was committed between September 2014 and February 2015.

    First Judicial District Court Judge James E. Wilson sentenced both defendants to one count of Attempt to Submitting False Claims, a gross misdemeanor. As a part of their sentences, each defendant was ordered to serve a term of up to 364 days in the county jail and to pay a combined restitution of more than $18,000.00. The restitution was paid in full by the time of sentencing.

      The investigation began after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) discovered that the defendants had conspired together to create false records for destitute patients in need of rehabilitative mental health services. Gerton and Screeton-Petri then submitted those claims to Medicaid for payment without providing any services to those patients.

        “Offenses against Nevadans who depend on Medicaid to receive much-needed mental health services are particularly disturbing,” said Laxalt. “My Office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will continue to investigate instances of Medicaid misuse in order to preserve the funds for their intended use.”

          On behalf of the Attorney General and the State, the MFCU investigates and prosecutes financial fraud by those providing healthcare services or goods to Medicaid patients. Persons convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation. Anyone wishing to report suspicious activities regarding any related fraud may contact the MFCU at 702-486-3420 or 775-684-1100.

            To view the criminal for Gerton and Screeton-Petri, click on their respective links. To file a complaint with our Office, click here.

              Senior Deputy Mark J. Krueger prosecuted this case.

                Gerton_ElizabethAnne
                ScreetonPetri_CharleneAnne
                GERTON, ELIZABETH
                SCREETON-PETRI, CHARLENE
                 
                (Photos courtesy of the Carson City Sheriff's Office)

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