Elderly Fall River Woman Accused Of Stealing $233,000 From Medicaid
FALL RIVER (CBS) – An elderly Fall River woman has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $233,000 from the state's Medicaid program, the Attorney General's office announced on Friday.
Officials say that from 2005 to 2011 Odete Costa, 75, falsely billed MassHealth for personal care attendants for her brother.
"We allege that this defendant blatantly abused the state's Medicaid system for a number of years in order to steal more than $233,000 from taxpayers through this elaborate scheme," AG Coakley said in a news release. "Cheating the Medicaid system to obtain additional payment is not acceptable, and we are working to hold people accountable for these falsely billed services."
Costa was indicted on charges of Larceny over $250, Medicaid False Claims, and Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation or Presentation of a False Tax Return.
Costa's nephew was also indicted in connection with the alleged scheme.
