Minnesota Woman Convicted in $3.6M Medicaid Fraud Scheme
St. Paul, MN (MinnesotaNow) - A Minnesota woman has been convicted for a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving the now-defunct Minnesota Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services Program.
Federal Jury Convicts Lake Elmo Woman
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota has announced that a federal jury in St. Paul returned a guilty verdict against 45-year-old Sharmaine Meadows on Wednesday. The Lake Elmo woman was found guilty of three counts of health care fraud and now faces the possibility of up to 10 years in prison for each conviction.
Prosecutors Say Scheme Cost Medicaid Program $3.6 Million
According to the charges, Meadows orchestrated a scheme to bill the state program for housing services that were meant to transition homeless people into housing and assist them in dealing with issues that resulted in their homelessness. It was alleged that she routinely submitted invoices for the maximum number of hours allowed for each client, even if the services were never provided.
Federal prosecutors say Meadows fraudulently collected more than $3.6 million from the program between 2020 and 2025.
“The defendant chose to defraud millions from a program meant to help vulnerable Minnesotans,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota. “My office is committed to prosecuting those who steal from the American taxpayer.”
Sentencing date is still pending
A sentencing hearing for Meadows has yet to be scheduled.
More Minnesota News:
- Former Waseca Prison Guard Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges
- 34-Year-Old Olmsted County Detainee Dies Following Medical Event
- Infant Who Died After Being Kicked by Pony in Southeast MN ID'D
Minnesota Companies That Have Appeared on 'Shark Tank'
Gallery Credit: Troy Dunken