BALTIMORE COUNTY COUPLE CHARGED WITH FELONY MEDICAID FRAUD, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MEDICAID FRAUD AND FELONY THEFT

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Tammy D. Smith, 38, and her husband, Anthony Smith, also 38, of the 4200 block of Huntshire Road in Baltimore County, have been charged in separate 19 count indictments returned by the grand jury in Baltimore County Circuit Court with felony Medicaid fraud, conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud and felony theft.

Tammy Smith is a Maryland licensed certified social worker authorized to provide clinical therapy services. The indictments allege that Tammy Smith conspired with Anthony Smith and others from October of 1998 through February of 2004 to defraud the Maryland Medicaid program by making a series of false statements and material misrepresentations in claims submitted for payment by the Medicaid program. It is also alleged that beginning in August of 1999 and continuing through February of 2004 both of the Smiths submitted a series of claims for payment by Medicaid that falsely represented that Tammy Smith and her group practice, Family and Children Enrichment Services, had provided services to Medicaid recipients when they knew that the services had not been provided.

Medicaid’s mental health programs provide for a range of services, including outpatient mental health therapy provided by appropriately licensed mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and social workers. Medicaid is a health care program for families and children and certain other individuals who qualify based on income levels, disability and certain other circumstances.

A conviction on each count of Felony Medicaid fraud and conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine of $100,000. A conviction for felony theft is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. An indictment is only an accusation and all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General’s Office.