May 23, 2017
Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Tonya Martin-Lowe, 54, of Las Vegas, was sentenced today in a Medicaid fraud case involving the failure to maintain required documentation.
Martin-Lowe was sentenced for one gross misdemeanor offense of Intentional Failure to Maintain Adequate Records by District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt. Leavitt sentenced Martin-Lowe to 364 days incarceration, suspended, performance of 100 hours of community service and payment of $2,108 in restitution. The fraud occurred between July 2014 and October 2014.
“Providers that commit fraud against the Medicaid system, no matter what the dollar amount might be, have stolen from the Medicaid system,” said Laxalt. “These monies are needed by Medicaid to ensure that necessary services are being provided to Nevada’s Medicaid recipients.”
The investigation began after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) received information that Martin-Lowe had allegedly not provided behavioral health services to a Medicaid recipient. The investigation revealed that Martin-Lowe had produced fictitious documentation, including progress notes, to Because We Care for the services she allegedly provided to the Medicaid recipient. The documentation was false as it contained information for services that did not occur, or were for services that were not for the length of time or type of service as noted in the documentation.
The MFCU 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. Persons convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation. Anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may contact the MFCU at 702-486-3420 or 775-684-1100.
The case was prosecuted by Andrew Schulke, Senior Deputy Attorney General.
To view the criminal information, click here.
MARTIN-LOWE, TONYA
(Photo courtesy of the
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
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