Kissimmee Couple Pleads Guilty To Stealing $2.8 Million From Clients In Medicaid Planning Fraud Scheme

Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Ross Littlefield (48, Kissimmee) and Linda Littlefield (41, Kissimmee) have each pleaded guilty to one count of conducting a prohibited monetary transaction. They each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The Littlefields were charged by information on April 29, 2013.

According to their plea agreements, Linda Littlefield, a former attorney, formed The Littlefield Law Group, P.A. The law group ultimately matured to specialize in Medicaid planning. In 2007, Ross Littlefield, Linda Littlefield, and others became the new directors of a non-profit organization called the JNN Foundation, Inc. The JNN Foundation established the JNN Special Needs Asset Preservation Pooled Trust. This type of trust can lawfully shelter assets and not affect the beneficiary’s Medicaid or Social Security Income eligibility.

Between 2007 and 2010, Ross and Linda Littlefield induced approximately 26 clients to contribute more than $4.7 million to the JNN Foundation under false pretenses. Once the client funds were received by the foundation, the Littlefields began transferring money to other accounts, which they controlled. They then used the money for their own personal benefit. Specifically, they used client deposits to purchase property, vehicles, and make personal loans to their other business. The deposits received from clients were made under the guise of Medicaid planning. To conceal their scheme, the Littlefields sent false quarterly statements to their clients. The falsified quarterly statements showed the client’s balance, when in fact, the Littlefields did not have the money in the bank accounts to cover all of the clients’ expenses. Consequently, the Littlefields stole $2,897,604.49 from their clients.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.