- Podcasts
Podcasts - Videos
Videos - Policy Issues
Policy Issues - About
About
New Suspect in $15 Million Medicaid Fraud Case
There are new charges for a new suspect in a multi-level scheme in Milwaukee that prosecutors say stole over $15 million from the state’s Medicaid program.
The U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday announced charges against 37-year-old Jasmine Cooper for her role in the scheme that centered around a Milwaukee prenatal service company.
“Programs like the prenatal care coordination program are designed to provide much needed assistance to some of our most vulnerable neighbors,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel said. “When individuals defraud these programs, they are not only stealing money from taxpayers, but they are also depriving services to women and children who truly need them."
Cooper is being charged with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Schimel's office said she's agreed to plead guilty.
Schimel said Cooper used her position as the former owner of Bundle of Love Prenatal to steal millions of dollars from taxpayers.
"Combined, the regional schemes cost Wisconsin Medicaid more than $15.5 million. The agencies, originally established to connect low-income pregnant women and new mothers with vital healthcare and counseling, instead functioned as fronts for systematic overbilling, using stolen identities, falsified records, and kickbacks like free baby items to exploit recipient insurance numbers," the U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement.
Cooper is the fifth person to be charged with Medicaid fraud in connection to prenatal care here in Wisconsin.
"Three prominent owners have already received lengthy federal prison terms," Schimel added.
One of his employees, Pongella Welch, is also entering a guilty plea for making false statements regarding healthcare benefits.
Interested in the content of this Article?
Reach out to the MacIver Institute to aquire more information
