Florida arrests two in Medicaid fraud scheme involving fake transport claims: “Theft from taxpayers”
Florida – Florida authorities have made arrests in a Central Florida case involving the misuse of Medicaid funds, following an investigation led by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Alexander McKinnie and Kara Morrison were taken into custody after investigators uncovered a scheme involving false reimbursement claims submitted to the state’s Medicaid program.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation revealed that McKinnie submitted tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims tied to non-emergency medical transportation. These claims were reportedly for gas reimbursements connected to trips that never took place. As the investigation expanded, investigators determined that the total amount improperly billed by McKinnie exceeded $65,000 for medical services that were never provided.
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Authorities say Morrison played a supporting role in the operation by assisting with the submission of false claims. Investigators found that Morrison was responsible for approximately $7,000 in fraudulent reimbursement requests, contributing to the overall scheme aimed at extracting funds from the Medicaid program.
Attorney General Uthmeier emphasized that Medicaid fraud directly impacts taxpayers and undermines public trust in programs designed to assist those in need.
“Medicaid fraud is a clear example of theft from taxpayers,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “In Florida, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will safeguard public funds and aggressively pursue anyone who exploits these programs.”
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McKinnie is facing one count of Medicaid provider fraud involving more than $50,000, along with one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both charges are classified as first-degree felonies and carry potential penalties of up to 30 years in state prison, as well as fines of up to $10,000.
Morrison has been charged with Medicaid provider fraud involving less than $10,000 and organized scheme to defraud, both third-degree felonies that may result in sentences of up to five years in prison and fines reaching $5,000.
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McKinnie was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, while Morrison was taken into custody by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors with the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit will handle the cases as they move through the court system.
