ilbegone
10-29-2009, 11:25 AM
Fresnan jailed in Medi-Cal fraud
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Fresno Co. tackles growing in-home services fraud
[QUOTE]
In-Home Supportive Services helps thousands of elderly and disabled Fresno County residents by providing cleaning, cooking and other services that keep them out of institutions.
But it also helps another group -- crooks.
Officials are increasingly concerned about fraud in the program, although they say it's impossible to measure how much is lost because of it.
Fresnan jailed in Medi-Cal fraud
A 58-year-old Fresno woman was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail after being convicted of Medi-Cal fraud and forgery in connection with her participation in the In-Home Supportive Services program.
Carolyn Ann Perry also must reimburse $4,013 to the IHSS program and pay about $1,430 in fines, Judge Wayne Ellison said in Fresno County Superior Court.
In-Home Supportive Services helps thousands of elderly and disabled Fresno County residents by paying providers to take care of them.
Prosecutor Art Corona accused Perry of defrauding the program between January to December 2007.
Corona said Perry enrolled in the IHSS program after she convinced a social worker that she had trouble walking. She also said she couldn't push, carry or lift anything.
Corona said Perry picked her provider. But when the provider called the county-run program to see why she wasn't getting paid, Perry was put under surveillance, Corona said.
A surveillance video showed her walking, answering the front door of her home and doing other things, Corona said. Investigators later learned Perry had cashed an IHSS check after she forged her provider's signature.
In November, a jury convicted Perry of two felonies -- Medi-Cal fraud and forgery -- but she delayed her sentencing several times for medical reasons.
Tuesday, Perry, who is out of custody, showed up in court using a cane. She said she recently had back surgery and needed four to six weeks to recover.
Addressing the judge, Perry said she never intended to defraud the system. "I'm not a bad person. God knows I'm not," she said.
Ellison, however, scolded Perry, saying she didn't accept responsibility for her actions.
Ellison said the surveillance video was enough evidence to convince him of Perry's guilt. He sentenced her to a year in jail but suspended all but 180 days. In addition, Ellison placed Perry on five years of probation. Perry must report to jail by Jan. 4.
•
Fresno Co. tackles growing in-home services fraud
[QUOTE]
In-Home Supportive Services helps thousands of elderly and disabled Fresno County residents by providing cleaning, cooking and other services that keep them out of institutions.
But it also helps another group -- crooks.
Officials are increasingly concerned about fraud in the program, although they say it's impossible to measure how much is lost because of it.
Fresnan jailed in Medi-Cal fraud
A 58-year-old Fresno woman was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail after being convicted of Medi-Cal fraud and forgery in connection with her participation in the In-Home Supportive Services program.
Carolyn Ann Perry also must reimburse $4,013 to the IHSS program and pay about $1,430 in fines, Judge Wayne Ellison said in Fresno County Superior Court.
In-Home Supportive Services helps thousands of elderly and disabled Fresno County residents by paying providers to take care of them.
Prosecutor Art Corona accused Perry of defrauding the program between January to December 2007.
Corona said Perry enrolled in the IHSS program after she convinced a social worker that she had trouble walking. She also said she couldn't push, carry or lift anything.
Corona said Perry picked her provider. But when the provider called the county-run program to see why she wasn't getting paid, Perry was put under surveillance, Corona said.
A surveillance video showed her walking, answering the front door of her home and doing other things, Corona said. Investigators later learned Perry had cashed an IHSS check after she forged her provider's signature.
In November, a jury convicted Perry of two felonies -- Medi-Cal fraud and forgery -- but she delayed her sentencing several times for medical reasons.
Tuesday, Perry, who is out of custody, showed up in court using a cane. She said she recently had back surgery and needed four to six weeks to recover.
Addressing the judge, Perry said she never intended to defraud the system. "I'm not a bad person. God knows I'm not," she said.
Ellison, however, scolded Perry, saying she didn't accept responsibility for her actions.
Ellison said the surveillance video was enough evidence to convince him of Perry's guilt. He sentenced her to a year in jail but suspended all but 180 days. In addition, Ellison placed Perry on five years of probation. Perry must report to jail by Jan. 4.