LITTLE ROCK – Seven individuals in Arkansas face legal action following arrests by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), Attorney General Tim Griffin announced in a statement detailing the cases. The charges encompass Medicaid fraud, abuse of vulnerable individuals, and failure to report abuse.
“These cases—five felony charges and two misdemeanors—were investigated by special agents within MFCU and include charges for Medicaid fraud, abuse of a vulnerable person, and failure to report the abuse of an adult,” Griffin stated. He commended the unit's efforts to hold offenders accountable, emphasizing their commitment to protecting Medicaid funds and vulnerable residents.
On September 11, Sharon Whitaker, 59, of Conway, was arrested and charged with Medicaid fraud, a Class B felony. Investigators allege Whitaker claimed $6,850.56 for personal care services provided during her scheduled hours as a property manager at an apartment complex. Special Agent Laura Glover led the investigation, and Assistant Attorney General David Jones will prosecute the case with Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones.
Also on September 11, John Weis, 21, of Booneville, was charged with abuse of a vulnerable person, a Class D felony. Weis, employed as a certified nursing assistant at the Booneville Human Development Center, allegedly caused injury to a resident. This case was also investigated by Special Agent Laura Glover and will be prosecuted in collaboration with Fifteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Tom Tatum II.
On September 17, Shane Phillips, 38, of Little Rock, was arrested for Medicaid fraud, a Class A felony. Phillips is accused of submitting false claims totaling $88,104.96 for services purportedly provided while his client was hospitalized and during his own work hours with other employers. The investigation was referred to the MFCU by the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and conducted by Special Agent Laura Glover, with prosecution by Assistant Attorney General Corinne Kwapis and Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones.
In a separate case on September 17, three employees of the Arkadelphia Human Development Center were arrested. Gregory Davell Clayborn, 33, was charged with abuse of an adult, a Class D felony, for allegedly slapping a resident, causing substantial pain and anguish. Shamirrah Desha Childs, 25, and Debbie Kay Thomas, 61, were each charged with failure to report the abuse of an adult, a Class B misdemeanor. Special Agent Jacob Good investigated the case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General David Jones and Corinne Kwapis, along with Ninth-East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Dan Turner.
On September 18, Michael Bodine, 33, of Beebe, was arrested for Medicaid fraud, a Class C felony. Officials allege Bodine fraudulently billed Medicaid $4,725.76 for personal care services provided to two beneficiaries simultaneously while working at another job. Special Agent Richard Morales led the investigation, and Senior Assistant Attorney General Gabby Davis-Jones will prosecute the case with Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones.
The Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a $4,781,516 Federal grant. The remaining 25% of funding, totaling $1,195,376, comes from Arkansas General Revenue.