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Press Release

Belleville Woman Pleads Guilty To Healthcare Fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today, that Kiara Hopkins, 24, of Belleville, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court to charges that she engaged in a scheme to steal from a health care program. Sentencing has been set for May 5, 2016. Hopkins will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

During her plea hearing, Hopkins admitted that she had submitted false and fraudulent claims in relation to her alleged performance of personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home. Hopkins admitted to falsely billing the program between July 22, 2013 and November 26, 2013, when she purportedly rendered personal assistant services to a customer when, in fact, she had not been caring for the customer during those times.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, the Illinois State Police - Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William E. Coonan.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, or you may call 1.800.447.8477.

Updated January 29, 2016

Topic
Health Care Fraud