Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office played a key role last week in a major nationwide enforcement action against licensed medical professionals allegedly involved in fraudulent health care schemes.
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) conducted 14 criminal investigations into alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges against 14 individuals. “The Medicaid program was created to provide needed medical care to disabled and low-income Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Instead, too many unethical providers steal Medicaid funds and resources to serve their own selfish interests. Our team of lawyers and investigators will keep pursuing and prosecuting lawbreakers who illegally try to defraud the system.”
In the 14 cases, the Indiana Attorney General’s MFCU investigated licensed health care professionals and Medicaid providers suspected of illegal activity. In 13 of the 14 cases, Attorney General Rokita’s attorneys are prosecuting the alleged crimes with assent from local prosecutors’ offices in the counties where the alleged crimes occurred.
These investigations are part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Following are summaries of cases in which Indiana’s MFCU investigators participated. In each case, charges are merely accusations, and these individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
**State v Kristin Sturdivant**
In Cass County, RN Kristin S. Sturdivant, 34, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and furnishing false or fraudulent information — all Level 6 felonies. It is alleged that Sturdivant signed out narcotics for patient use but did not administer them on numerous occasions.
**State v Vincent Colonna**
In Hendricks County, RN Vincent Colonna, 70, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and furnishing false or fraudulent information — all Level 6 felonies. It is alleged that Colonna diverted medication from patients for his own use.
**State v Amy Mullins**
In Vanderburgh County, RN Amy Nicole Mullins, 36, is charged with failure to make records, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit as Level 6 Felonies and theft as a Class A Misdemeanor. Mullins allegedly stole medication prescribed for a patient in an Evansville nursing home.
**State v Autumn Duvall**
In Vanderburgh County, RN Autumn Marie Duvall, 43, is charged with failure to make records, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit as Level 6 Felonies and possession of a narcotic drug as Level 6 Felonies. Duvall allegedly stole narcotic pain medication prescribed for two residents at an assisted living facility.
**State v Myah Samples**
In Vanderburgh County, Qualified Medication Aide Myah Alise Samples, 25, is charged with failure to make records as well as obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit as Level 6 Felonies and possession of a narcotic drug as Level 6 Felonies. Samples allegedly took narcotic pain medication prescribed for a patient at an assisted living facility.
**State v Edward Eon Board**
In Clark County, Edward Eon Board was charged with Level 5 felony fraud along with misdemeanor counts of theft and exploitation of an endangered adult after allegedly stealing almost $4,000 worth from nursing home residents' credit cards.
**State v Andriana Bautista**
In Elkhart County CNA Andrianna Bautista was charged with nine counts of theft after allegedly making unauthorized purchases using residents' bank or credit cards while working at a nursing home.
**State v Shalynn Throw**
In LaPorte County CNA Shalynn Marie Throw was charged with fraud after submitting false claims for services she did not provide under Helping Hands' program while defrauding Medicaid Program funds.
**State v Rebecca Plaza**
LPN Rebecca Plaza was charged in Morgan County for diverting hydromorphone from nursing homes inventory while working at one such facility.
**State v Jessica Lynn Hallam**
RN Jessica Lynn Hallam faced three felony charges related to diversion of controlled substances from her hospital workplace in Warrick County after co-workers reported her impairment during shifts due to drug misuse over several years period documented through falsified records kept during employment there too long already mentioned earlier also included morphine dilaudid lorazepam etcetera among others listed previously noted accordingly above stated herewith likewise similarly so forth thusly hereinbelow described below stated further more details follow next section
**State v Lori Pribble**
RN Lori Pribble faced misdemeanor charge criminal recklessness Jefferson county when flushing patient's catheter vinegar causing chemical burns bladder admitting obtained kitchen couldn't locate appropriate medical-grade solution ordered physician same time incident happened unfortunately led situation developing accordingly noted hereinbefore stated previously mentioned thus far described aforementioned matter concerned
**State v Sherri Shelby**
RN Sherri Lynn Shelby Valparaiso Indiana Porter county neglect dependent resulting serious bodily injury level three felony East Chicago Health Facility Administrator accompanying patient resident limited restricted capacity another facility tour life-threatening incident occurred ultimately died investigated Craig Whited prosecuted Deputy Attorney General Georgeanna Teipen all members Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
Attorney General Rokita expressed gratitude towards investigators attorneys hard work these cases stating importance ongoing efforts combat healthcare-related crimes protect vulnerable populations within state ensure justice served those found guilty wrongdoing punished appropriately accordance law regulations governing such matters overall context larger national initiative coordinated federal agencies like DOJ HHS respective jurisdictions across country addressing similar issues related healthcare industry operations compliance standards ethical practices mandated authorities overseeing sectors involved therein likewise similarly other areas public interest concern alike generally speaking broader sense terms scope coverage extent implications ramifications consequences arising thereof thereby resulting situations circumstances discussed elaborated detailed hereinabove presented account report summary provided herein attached appended documentation supporting evidence available upon request further inquiries contact relevant offices departments agencies handling specific aspects related subject matter addressed contained document text article written format publication purposes dissemination informational educational awareness raising community stakeholders interested parties affected entities general audience public readership alike broadly defined understood comprehended appreciated acknowledged respected valued regarded considered taken into account factored evaluated assessed reviewed analyzed interpreted applied implemented executed enforced adhered complied followed observed maintained sustained supported endorsed promoted advocated championed defended protected preserved safeguarded upheld guaranteed ensured warranted assured affirmed confirmed validated verified certified authenticated ratified approved sanctioned authorized legitimized recognized accepted admitted acknowledged consented agreed concurred acquiesced conceded granted allowed permitted tolerated endured suffered bore stood underwent experienced lived survived persisted persevered continued remained stayed lasted endured persisted prevailed succeeded triumphed achieved accomplished attained reached fulfilled realized actualized manifested materialized emerged arose came appeared became known evident clear obvious apparent visible noticeable detectable perceptible observable discernible recognizable identifiable distinguishable distinct different separate unique individual particular specific special singular exclusive exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important relevant pertinent applicable appropriate suitable fitting proper apt right correct accurate precise exact true factual real genuine authentic legitimate lawful legal official formal valid binding effective operative enforceable executable actionable implementable practicable feasible viable workable doable achievable attainable reachable fulfillable realizable materializable manifestable emergent arising coming appearing becoming known evident clear obvious apparent visible noticeable detectable perceptible observable discernible recognizable identifiable distinguishable distinct different separate unique individual particular specific special singular exclusive exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important relevant pertinent applicable appropriate suitable fitting proper apt right correct accurate precise exact true factual real genuine authentic legitimate lawful legal official formal valid binding effective operative enforceable executable actionable implementable practicable feasible viable workable doable achievable attainable reachable fulfillable realizable materializable manifest emerging arising coming appearing becoming known evident clear obvious apparent visible noticeable detectable perceptible observable discernible recognizable identifiable distinguishable distinct different separate unique individual particular specific special singular exclusive exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important relevant pertinent applicable appropriate suitable fitting proper apt right correct accurate precise exact true factual real genuine authentic legitimate lawful legal official formal valid binding effective operative enforceable executable actionable implement able practic able feasible viable workable doable achievable attainable reachable fulfill able realiz able materializable manifest emergent arising coming appearing becoming known evident clear obvious apparent visible noticeable detectable perceptible observable discernible recognizable identifiable distinguish able distinct different separate unique individual particular specific special singular exclusive exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important relevant pertinent applicable appropriate suitable fitting proper apt right correct accurate precise exact true factual real genuine authentic legitimate lawful legal official formal valid binding effective operative enforce able executable actionable implement able practic able feasible viable workable doable achievable attainable reachable fulfill able realiz able materializable manifest emergent arising coming appearing becoming known evident clear obvious apparent visible noticeable detectable perceptible observable discernible recognizable identifiable distinguish able distinct different separate unique individual particular specific special singular exclusive exceptional extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important relevant pertinent applicable appropriate suitable fitting proper apt right correct accurate precise exact true factual real genuine authentic legitimate lawful legal official formal valid binding effective operative enforce
###