August 17, 2020
Las Vegas, NV - Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Keon Donnell Shavers, 43, of Las Vegas, the owner of Rays of Life Counseling Services (Rays of Life) was sentenced in a Medicaid fraud case involving false billing. The fraud occurred between January 2018 and July 2018.
Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Cristina D. Silva sentenced defendant for Submitting False Claims, a category "D" felony. Shavers was sentenced to 12 to 48 months in prison, suspended, and placed on probation for two years. As part of the sentence, Shavers was ordered to pay $104,800.00 in restitution and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. Individuals or businesses convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation.
"Owners of healthcare facilities must always abide by Medicaid regulations and only seek payment for services actually provided to Medicaid recipients in Nevada," said AG Ford. "My office will diligently pursue businesses and individuals that perpetrate Medicaid fraud causing loss of taxpayer dollars and increasing the costs of medical services."
The investigation of this case began after the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) received information that Shavers, as the owner of Rays of Life, may have billed Nevada Medicaid for Rehabilitative Mental Health (RMH) services that were never provided to recipients. The investigation revealed that Shavers submitted claims to Nevada Medicaid for RMH services purportedly provided by Rays of Life professionals who did not provide the billed services to Medicaid recipients.
The MFCU investigates and prosecutes financial fraud by those providing health care 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.
This case was investigated by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Steve Sidhu.
To view the criminal information against Keon Donnell Shavers, click here. To file a complaint with the Office of the Nevada Attorney General, click here.
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SHAVER, KEON |
(Photograph courtesy of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
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