Bowie Social Worker Charged with Medicaid Fraud

BALTIMORE, MD ( April 1, 2010) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Michael Ryan, 53, of the 12000 block of Seabury Lane in Bowie, was indicted by a Prince George’s County Grand Jury and charged with 12 counts of felony Medicaid fraud and 12 counts of felony theft. The charges allege that while employed as a social worker between January 2005 and November 2007, Ryan submitted a series of false claims to the Maryland Medicaid Program for individual therapy services to medical assistance recipients.

Each count of felony Medicaid fraud is punishable by up to five years in jail and/or a $100,000 fine. Each count of felony theft is punishable by up to 15 years in jail and/or a $25,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Attorney General in conjunction with the Maryland State Police. Criminal charges are merely accusations of wrongdoing, and a defendant is presumed innocent until the State proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.