Business Owner Arrested for Scamming Medicaid Out of More Than $200,000

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, along with the U.S. Marshall Fugitive Task Force, today arrested a home and community-based services business owner for defrauding the Medicaid program out of more than $200,000. Lorna Dukes owned and operated 3D Living & Home Services Inc., that provided HCBS to Medicaid recipients.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Billing for services not provided to extort money from the Florida Medicaid program is reprehensible. My office is taking decisive legal action to stop this unlawful activity and protect taxpayer dollars. We will continue to pursue allegations of Medicaid Fraud to stop illegal activity and hold fraudsters responsible for their criminal actions.”

According to the investigation by Attorney General Moody’s MFCU, Dukes submitted falsified claims for services not rendered to several Medicaid recipients and received payments from the Florida Medicaid program based on the falsified claims. The MFCU investigation revealed that 3D Living & Homes Services Inc. did not provide HCBS as frequently as billing indicated and provided no service to a number of the recipients billed. From Jan. 1, 2017 through July 31, 2019, Dukes allegedly caused the Medicaid program to pay approximately $204,022 for a total of 2,038 fraudulent claims for HCBS services neither she nor her company rendered.

To view the redacted PCA, click here.

Dukes is charged with one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of grand theft, both first-degree felonies. If convicted, Dukes faces up to 30 years in prison on each count. Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.
The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida’s taxpayers. From Jan. 2019 to the present, Attorney General Moody’s MFCU has obtained more than $40 million in settlements and judgments. Additionally, the MFCU investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.