February 16, 2022
Las Vegas, NV – Today,
Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Shonna Nicole Marshall, 52, of
Las Vegas, was sentenced in a Medicaid fraud and money laundering case
involving falsely billing for Medicaid services allegedly provided to Medicaid
recipients.
Marshall pleaded guilty to one
count of Medicaid Fraud and 26 counts of Money Laundering. District Court Judge
Jasmin Lilly-Spells sentenced Marshall to a total of 48-120 months for the 27
felony counts of Medicaid Fraud and Money Laundering. As part of the sentence,
Marshall also was ordered to pay more than $750,000 in restitution, penalties
and costs. Individuals or businesses convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be
administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation.
“Marshall repeatedly exploited a
government program that is designed to be a safety net for some of the most
vulnerable individuals in this state,” said AG Ford. “This type of
fraudulent conduct not only costs taxpayers, but it also diverts funds and
resources intended for Medicaid recipients. My office will continue to
investigate and prosecute individuals who engage in such criminal activity.”
The investigation began after the
Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) received an
allegation that Vegas Health LLC (Vegas Health) submitted false information to
Medicaid. The investigation revealed that Marshall formed a ghost company with
the sole objective of fraudulently billing Medicaid. Marshall used Medicaid
providers’ and recipients’ personal information without their knowledge or
consent. Marshall then transferred the fraudulently obtained funds into
multiple bank accounts and to multiple associates to conceal the source of the
funds.
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. The Nevada MFCU receives 75% of
its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant
award. The remaining 25% is funded by the State of Nevada, MFCU. 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 Behnaz Salimian Molina.
To file a complaint with the Office of
the Nevada Attorney General, click here.
The amended indictment is
attached.
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