Gretchen E. Lewis, a resident of Williamstown, Vermont, has been sentenced in the Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division. The sentencing follows her guilty plea to charges of Unauthorized Practice of Psychotherapy and defrauding Vermont Medicaid by False Pretenses.
"The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Gretchen E. Lewis, 58, of Williamstown, Vermont, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of Unauthorized Practice of Psychotherapy and one misdemeanor count of defrauding Vermont Medicaid by False Pretenses."
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) conducted the investigation. "Ms. Lewis’ guilty pleas are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)." Back in August 2021, the OPR had imposed a professional discipline on Ms. Lewis, restricting her work to no more than forty hours a week. However, it was discovered that Ms. Lewis continued to bill Vermont Medicaid beyond this limit and charged for unauthorized services. She also failed to maintain adequate patient treatment records.
"Judge Rory Thibault presiding, sentenced the defendant to a two-year term of probation, payment of $22,750 in restitution to Vermont Medicaid, 100 hours of community service, and a prohibition on any further work as a Medicaid service provider." Should Ms. Lewis fail to adhere to her probation terms, she could face a year-long jail term.
"This matter was jointly investigated by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)." The Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit is largely funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contributing 75 percent of their budget for fiscal year 2025.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicion of Medicaid fraud through MFRAU’s official reporting channels. "If you suspect Medicaid fraud, contact MFRAU at https://ago.vermont.gov/medicaid-fraud-report-form."
Legal and financial accountability measures have been enforced, with Ms. Lewis obligated to make restitution and engage in community service.
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