WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Former New Hanover County social worker Felicia Moore Jones pleaded guilty Wednesday, Jan. 24, to conspiring to defraud NC Medicaid.
Per U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, over $400,000 in fraudulent billing took place as a result of the scheme, and Jones could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine.
“Ms. Jones’ was a social worker who was supposed to help poor Medicaid recipients get healthcare. Instead, she stole and sold their identifying information in a scheme to bill taxpayers for care that was never provided,” said Easley. “We are fortunate to live in a generous country, where we are proud to help the less advantaged through programs like Medicaid. But we will find and prosecute anyone who abuses that generosity for their own profit.”
Citing the filed charge and information summarized in court, the announcement says Jones worked with a licensed mental health counselor Lakia Washington on the scheme.
Source: Social worker pleads guilty to Medicaid fraud scheme involving over $400,000 / FOX Wilmington