RDATE:03052007

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Siddi Jon, 48, of the 8900 block of Greens Lane in Randallstown was indicted by a Baltimore County grand jury with 18 counts of felony Medicaid fraud and felony theft.

It is alleged that, from April, 2002 to May, 2004, Jon, through her company, Maryland Health First, Inc., knowingly submitted fraudulent claims to the Maryland Medicaid program.

Those claims falsely represented that the company had provided psychiatric rehabilitation (PRP) services and therapy services to clients when Jon knew that the services had not actually been performed. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Jon defrauded the Medicaid program by billing for services when she knew that she was out of compliance with Medicaid regulations applicable to PRP and therapy providers. Maryland Health First served eligible Medicaid recipients in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.

The case is being prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. The MFCU conducted the investigation with assistance from the Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA), which suspended payments to Maryland Health First in May of 2004. MHA has been working with the MFCU to root out fraud in its programs, and several cases of possible fraudulent behavior by MHA providers are currently under investigation by the Attorney General's Office.

While an indictment is only an accusation and all persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty, a charge of felony Medicaid fraud is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Felony theft is punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years and a fine of $25,000.

An arraignment date in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County has not yet been set. In making today's announcement, Attorney General Gansler thanked Assistant Attorney General Jason Weinstock for his work on the case.

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).