Investigators have charged a woman who they say defrauded several state agencies while working at the Adult Day Center of the Black Hills.
The Attorney General’s office said Jessica Scott, a former board member at the center, altered bill documents which resulted in the overpayment of funds from the South Dakota Medicaid Program, South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs and the South Dakota Department of Human Services.
The state's Medicaid Control Unit has recouped more than $477,000 of the defrauded money.
“This extensive civil and criminal investigation has been the result of the excellent work by local, state and federal agencies and law enforcement,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The important thing is stolen taxpayer money has been recovered.”
The Adult Day Center of the Black hills provides care and activities for adults with disabilities. A spokesperson for the organization said Scott's actions have not interrupted their services.
Scott has been indicted on charges of grand theft, submitting false claims to Medicaid, and perjury.
“Individuals who submit fraudulent claims and false statements to federally funded programs put health care benefits for everyone at risk,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which helped with the investigation. "We are committed to working with our partner agencies to hold accountable those suspected of defrauding Medicaid and other government programs.”