Attorney General's News Release

June 18, 2003

St. Louis licensed clinical social worker arrested on 19-count indictment of Medicaid fraud

St. Louis, Mo. — St. Louis City police today arrested a licensed clinical social worker charged with 19 felony counts alleging she defrauded the Missouri Medicaid progam. Barbara Burger (DOB - 4/22/43) was indicted by a St. Louis City grand jury at the request of Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The indictment charges that Burger, who owns Burger Youth and Family Services at 4144 Lindell Boulevard, billed the Missouri Medicaid program for psychological counseling services she did not provide. Burger is charged with 16 felony counts of making a false statement to receive a health care payment and with three felony counts of stealing by deceit.

Burger is being held on $20,000 bond. Making a false statement to receive a health care payment is a class D felony under Missouri law, with each count punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Stealing by deceit is a class C felony under Missouri law, with each count punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine. As in all criminal cases, the charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General's Office. The unit has authority under state law to investigate and prosecute, both civilly and criminally, allegations of fraud against Missouri's Medicaid program.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818