October 8, 2018
Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Shanique Shanta Poole, 25, of Las Vegas, was sentenced today in a Medicaid fraud case involving the failure to maintain proper documentation for services provided to Medicaid recipients.
Poole was sentenced for a gross misdemeanor offense of Intentional Failure to Maintain Adequate Records by District Court Judge William Kephart. Judge Kephart sentenced Poole to 364 days incarceration, suspended, and placed her on probation for three years. As part of the sentence, Poole was also ordered to pay $2,086.75 in restitution and perform 50 hours of community service. The fraud occurred between June 2016 and October 2016.
“These convictions ensure that Medicaid providers who have the responsibility to provide much needed mental health services to Medicaid recipients are actually providing those services as billed to Nevada Medicaid,” said Laxalt.
The investigation began after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) received information that Poole was not providing services to Medicaid recipients. The investigation revealed that Poole did knowingly create fictitious documentation, including time sheets, for services allegedly provided to Medicaid recipients. Poole then submitted the false documentation to her employer, Southern Comfort PCA, LLC. The documentation prepared by Poole, and used to substantiate Medicaid claims, was false as many of Poole’s records were for dates and times for services allegedly provided to Medicaid recipients who were during those times not present in Nevada.
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 Steve Sidhu, Senior Deputy Attorney General.
To view the criminal information, click here. To file a complaint with the Office of the Nevada Attorney General, click here.
POOLE, SHANIQUE
(Photo courtesy of
the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
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