Nine Eastern Shore family members indicted in Medicaid fraud scheme

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Nine Eastern Shore family members were indicted by an Anne Arundel County Grand Jury for allegedly engaging in a scheme to defraud the Maryland Medicaid program, Attorney General Anthony Brown announced Tuesday.

All of the defendants are related by either blood or marriage, officials said.

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“Medicaid is a lifeline for thousands of Marylanders with developmental disabilities, helping them access critical care and live independently in their communities. Every dollar these defendants allegedly stole is a dollar that cannot go toward the care and support these residents need and deserve,” Attorney General Brown said via press release.

Our Office will always fight to protect Medicaid and the vulnerable Marylanders it serves.”

Corie Davis, 49, of Salisbury, is a support broker who owns Infinite Abilities, LLC, according to officials. That company provides support broker services to people with developmental disabilities that participate in the Self-Directed Services Program.

Davis is charged along with six of her daughters, her son-in-law and her sister-in-law with defrauding Medicaid, a State Health Plan, involving a value more than $1,500.

Medicaid is a U.S. government health insurance program that gives “coverage to low-income and vulnerable residents,” according to the Office of the Maryland Attorney General. The alleged fraud includes knowingly and willfully submitting false information to get payment for healthcare services.

Davis, her six daughters, her son-in-law and her sister-in-law face charges, including conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud (valued over $1,500) and identity fraud:

• 25-year-old Ashley Davis and 29-year-old Alesha Davis, both of Princess Anne
• 24-year-old Ce’Airra Davis and 22-year-old Selena Davis, both of Salisbury
• 30-year-old Destiny Little, of Fruitland
• 28-year-old Jocelyn Davis, of Pocomoke City
• 27-year-old Desmond Lake, of Salisbury (son-in-law)
• 64-year-old Matilda Tull, of Salisbury (sister-in-law)

Officials said Lake is a Princess Anne police officer and Ce’Airra Davis is a Somerset County sheriff’s deputy.

Corie Davis faces another charge — making a false statement in an application for public assistance. Prosecutors allege that she knowingly misstated both her income and household composition when applying for Medicaid benefits.

“The allegations in this indictment are serious and made even more disturbing because they involve law enforcement officers,” Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), said via press release. “Theft from programs meant to support people with developmental disabilities will not be tolerated.