A behavioural health provider in Suwanee, Georgia, has been indicted on 31 felony counts over allegations that she fraudulently claimed more than $40,000 from the state’s Medicaid programme while travelling outside Georgia.
Melissa Howard, 49, was indicted by a DeKalb County grand jury on 15 September. She faces 16 counts of Medicaid fraud and 15 counts of making false statements and writings.
Howard owned and operated Behavior Solutions LLC, providing behaviour support and therapy planning for autistic and disabled people in residential and group settings.
Prosecutors allege that she submitted claims for services which had not been delivered while she was out of state. The specific dates and destinations linked to the alleged fraud have not been released.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said his office would pursue people accused of exploiting programmes intended to support vulnerable residents.
The Attorney General’s Office said it could not disclose further details about the investigation at this stage. No date for Howard’s arraignment has been announced.
As with all indictments, the allegations against Howard have not been proved in court. She is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty.
