A.G. Schneiderman Announces Arrest Of Mother And Daughter For Allegedly Bilking Medicaid For Home Health Services Not Provided

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently announced the arrest and arraignment of Melinda Jones and Bertha Granderson, both of Rochester, for allegedly submitting phony time sheets to Maxim Health Care. Based on their false time sheets, Maxim Health Care unknowingly billed Medicaid for home health aide services Granderson did not perform for their relative.

“Those who exploit the Medicaid system for personal gain are taking money and services away from those who need them most,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will continue to aggressively pursue caregivers who steal from Medicaid and violate the trust of those in their care.”

Melinda Jones, age 42, and Bertha Granderson, age 25, both of 106 Turpin Street, Rochester, submitted time sheets to the Maxim Health Care indicating Granderson provided home care services for their relative for approximately 149 hours between September 1, 2014 and April 25, 2015, when Granderson was allegedly working the same hours at either Sonic Restaurant or Tim Hortons during this time period. Jones was the self-directed other for the aide care of her relative and as such was responsible for the administration of his care including the aide time sheets submitted to Maxim. Granderson was a home health aide hired to provide services to her mother’s relative. Based upon the false time sheets, Maxim billed the State Medicaid Program $2379.61, while Granderson received approximately $1490 in pay for 149 hours she allegedly did not work.

Rochester City Court Judge Melchor Castro arraigned Jones and Granderson on one count each of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, all class E felonies. Both Jones and Granderson face a maximum penalty of one and one-third to four 4 years. Judge Castro adjourned the matter for Granderson to Tuesday April 26th for assignment of counsel to Granderson, while Jones was adjourned to May 26th for a possible disposition.

The charges are merely accusations and defendants Jones and Granderson are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by Special Investigator Arthur Vasile and Auditor/ Investigator Stephen Sachman with assistance from MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator William Falk. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Timothy McFarland. Catherine Wagner is Director of the Rochester Regional MFCU Office and the Upstate Chief of Criminal Investigations. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.