Attorney General Todd Rokita announced today six people are facing felony charges for allegedly defrauding Indiana’s Medicaid program of $10.9 million by billing for services that were never provided.
“It is important to remember that these people are stealing from taxpayers—from you,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Committing fraud and stealing from taxpayers is bad enough, but it is especially egregious when it’s committed against our most vulnerable citizens. Our office is committed to holding these bad actors accountable, and we’re not going to tolerate it in Indiana.”
The individuals being charged are connected to Senior Home Care Agency, a for-profit corporation that provides waiver services within the Indiana Medicaid program, specifically Attendant Care, Home and Community Assistance, and Transportation services. Its principal location when it was created in 2023 was Indianapolis, but in 2024 its enrolled service location within the Medicaid program was changed to Mooresville.
In each case, the fact that a person has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and these individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Among those being charged:
- Alexander D Byrnes, 39, is being accused of 14 counts of Level 4 Felony Fraud, 35 counts of Level 5 Felony Fraud, and 1 count of Level 6 Felony Fraud. The loss to Medicaid is approximately $10.9 million.
- Faith A Casas, 26, is being accused of having committed Aiding, Inducing, or Causing an Offense, 14 counts of Level 4 Felony Fraud, 35 counts of Level 5 Felony Fraud, and 1 count of Level 6 Felony Fraud. The loss to Medicaid is approximately $10.9 million.
- Nichole A. Hoyt, 41, is being accused of 10 counts of Fraud as a Level 6 Felony. The loss to Medicaid was approximately $223,871.51.
- Cortez L. Crook, 35, is being accused of having committed 3 counts of Fraud as a Level 6 Felony. The loss to Medicaid was approximately $75,540.46.
- LaShawn N. Wright, 40, is being accused of having committed 3 counts of Fraud as a Level 6 Felony. The loss to Medicaid is approximately $75,540.46.
- Jessica K. Schoof, 45, is being accused of having committed 10 counts of Fraud as a Level 6 Felony The loss to Medicaid was approximately $223,871.51.
Since taking office in January 2021, Attorney General Rokita’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has secured more than $100 million in taxpayer funds lost to provider welfare fraud through nearly 100 separate civil and criminal recoveries.
MCFU investigates fraud involving providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. MFCU also investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program, such as nursing homes, facilities for the mentally and physically disabled, and assisted living facilities.
MFCU employs a professional staff of criminal investigators, auditors, attorneys and support staff who work together to develop investigations and prosecute cases. They work regularly with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat fraud, protect our most vulnerable citizens and to save taxpayer dollars.
The Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a federal grant. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of Indiana.