August 29, 2016
Las Vegas, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Linda Crutcher-Austin, 51, of Las Vegas, was sentenced for Medicaid fraud. The fraud was committed between June and November 2013.
Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Elissa Cadish sentenced Crutcher-Austin to one count of intentional failure to maintain adequate records, a gross misdemeanor. As a part of her sentence, Crutcher-Austin was ordered to serve a term of 364 days incarceration and to pay restitution in the amount of $15,435. Her sentence was suspended, and she was placed on probation for a period of three years.
“Crimes like this exploit Nevadans truly in need of Medicaid services for care,” saidLaxalt. “My Office will continue to prosecute providers seeking to defraud Medicaid in order protect the funds for their intended use.”
The investigation began after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) received information that Crutcher-Austin was allegedly not providing services to Medicaid recipients. The MFCU subsequently discovered that Crutcher-Austin had created false progress notes for the services she allegedly provided to Medicaid recipients. Recipients denied that they had received the amount or length of services indicated on progress notes and Medicaid claims.
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 Information for Linda Crutcher-Austin, click here. To file a complaint with our Office, click here.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Andrew Schulke prosecuted this case.
CRUTCHER-AUSTIN, LINDA
(Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
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