Attorney General Ashley Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has announced the arrest of Cheri Lynn Meyer, a power of attorney, for financially exploiting an elderly resident in Okaloosa. Meyer is accused of taking over $43,600 from the victim, despite being responsible for managing their finances for healthcare purposes.
Moody expressed gratitude that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators were able to put a stop to the exploitation, stating, "This individual, who was supposed to look after a senior as a power of attorney, depleted tens of thousands of dollars from an elderly resident's bank account."
According to the investigation, Meyer, who was in a position of trust with a 79-year-old victim suffering from aging infirmities, systematically withdrew funds from the victim's account through ATM transactions and checks between October 2021 and September 2022. The funds deposited into Meyer's account did not benefit the victim, who was residing in a care facility, as confirmed by witness accounts, facility records, and bank records.
During the entire period of being the victim's power of attorney, Meyer only made one payment of $500, which successfully cleared the victim's bank. Meyer provided various reasons for not paying for the victim's medical services and displayed uncooperative behavior when pressed to make the payments and manage the victim's financials properly.
Meyer is now facing one count of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult less than $50,000, a second-degree felony. The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit through an agreement with the State Attorney's Office for the First Judicial Circuit.
The Florida Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting providers who intentionally defraud the state's Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Additionally, the unit investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving Medicaid payments.
Funding for the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit comes from a grant of $29,707,695 for Federal Fiscal Year 2024, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General. The grant is divided into a Federal Share of 75%, amounting to $22,280,772, and a State Matching Share of 25%, totaling $7,426,923, which is funded by Florida.
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