BALTIMORE CAREGIVER CHARGED WITH MEDICAID FRAUD

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that former caregiver Demetrius Brunson was charged with defrauding the Medicaid program by billing for services which she did not provide.

Brunson, 32, of the 1100 block of Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, was employed as an attendant caregiver by the Maryland Living at Home Community Choices program, a non-profit agency that provides services that allow people with disabilities to live independently. The indictment, returned by the Grand Jury for Baltimore City, charges Brunson with felony Medicaid fraud and felony theft that occurred over a seven-month period, and alleges that Brunson fraudulently billed the Medicaid program, claiming she had provided attendant care services to a Medicaid Waiver participant when in fact that person had died.

Felony Medicaid fraud is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine. Felony theft is punishable by 15 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 25,000 or both. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. An indictment is an accusation and all persons are innocent unless proven guilty.

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