Attorney General's News Release

November 7, 2001

Pulaski County jury finds licensed clinical social worker guilty on seven felony charges of stealing, Medicaid fraud

Jefferson City, Mo. — A Pulaski County jury on Tuesday (Nov. 6) found a licensed clinical social worker guilty on seven felony charges related to her defrauding the Missouri Medicaid program. Attorney General Jay Nixon and Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Michael V. Headrick filed the criminal charges of stealing by deceit and making a false statement to receive a health care payment against Melody J. Carter (DOB - 8/14/61) in October 1999.

Carter, whose home address is in St. Robert and business address is in Waynesville, falsely represented to the state Medicaid program that she had provided psychological counseling services to receive payment for those services. Carter was out of town — including trips to New Mexico and Alaska — on dates she billed the Medicaid program for services to clients in Pulaski County. The charges covered a period from June 1998 to June 1999.

"Ms. Carter abused the Medicaid program and taxpayers for her personal gain," Nixon said. "We will continue to take aggressive action against those who rip off the state in this manner."

The jury recommended that Carter pay a fine, to be determined by the court, on each of the counts and serve 90 days in jail on the largest of the three stealing counts. That count was related to her billing the Medicaid program for $7,000 worth of counseling services when she actually was in Alaska. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General's Office has authority under state law to investigate and prosecute, both civilly and criminally, allegations of fraud against Missouri's Medicaid program.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818