Kan. Couple Enter Guilty Plea in Medicaid Scam

A Jewell County couple pleaded guilty of defrauding the Kansas Medicaid Program, Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline announced this week.

Linda L. May, 56, and Billie Eugene May, 57, both of Burr Oak, each pleaded guilty to one felony count of making a false claim to the Medicaid program and four felony counts of forgery. According to authorities, from Jan. 1, 2000, through June 7, 2003, the defendants unlawfully, knowingly and with the intent to defraud, made and submitted false claims and time sheets to the Kansas Medicaid program, and also signed and cashed checks based on the false claims totaling $77,530.88.

Each defendant faces 11 to 34 months in jail and fines up to $100,000 for making a false claim to the Medicaid program and seven to 23 months in jail and fines up to $100,000 for each count of forgery.

The defendants could also be ordered to repay the money with interest and to pay the cost of the prosecution, including attorney fees and investigative costs.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, in Jewell County District Court.