A Peoria man has been accused of using millions of dollars allegedly obtained through a Medicaid fraud scheme to buy a $5.5 million mansion and a Rolls-Royce, according to federal prosecutors in Arizona.
Maurice Marcell Williams, 48, is facing an 11-count indictment alleging healthcare fraud and money laundering. A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned the indictment on September 8.
Prosecutors claim Williams owned and operated Thinking and Learning Together 2, LLC, a Phoenix-based behavioural health provider. Between May 2022 and May 2023, the company allegedly submitted more than $33 million in claims to Arizona’s Medicaid programme, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS.
AHCCCS is alleged to have paid about $19.7 million on the claims. Investigators say the company billed for treatment that was never provided, including claims involving implausible working hours and patients who were incarcerated elsewhere at the time.
Peoria mansion and luxury car targeted in AHCCCS fraud case
The indictment alleges that Williams concealed both his ownership of the company and a previous criminal conviction when applying to become an AHCCCS provider. Prosecutors say he falsely listed his son as the owner.
The business allegedly targeted people covered by the American Indian Health Care Program, a Medicaid plan available to Native Americans. The federal government is seeking the forfeiture of two homes, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan and brokerage accounts it says are connected to the alleged scheme.
One of the properties is a 12,000-square-foot mansion in Peoria’s Casa de Sunrise community. The estate includes six bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor entertainment areas, a tennis court and a 12-car garage.
Williams also appeared to display his new wealth publicly. In a social media video posted in 2022, he showed off a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a vehicle estimated to cost about $300,000.
Timothy Courchaine, the US Attorney for the District of Arizona, said investigators had recovered nearly $14 million in alleged proceeds through search warrants and seizure orders.
“He may have acted like he was hard at work providing services, but the fact of the matter was that he was defrauding an important programme,” Mr Courchaine said.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the AHCCCS Office of Inspector General.
Williams previously served a prison sentence ending in 2011 following convictions involving drugs, weapons misconduct and illegal control of an enterprise, according to court records cited by local investigators.
He and his public defender were contacted for comment but had not responded. The indictment is a formal accusation and Williams is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Each count of healthcare fraud and money laundering carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted.
