Attorney General's News Release

April 26, 2004

St. Louis licensed clinical social worker pleads guilty to four counts of Medicaid fraud; to repay $17,000 to state

St. Louis, Mo. — A St. Louis licensed clinical social worker today pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulently billing the Missouri Medicaid program. St. Louis City Circuit Judge Margaret M. Neill ordered that Barbara C. Burger (DOB - 4/22/43) repay $17,000 to the Medicaid program, be placed on probation for three years, and be excluded from participating in the program while she is on probation. If Burger violates the terms of her probation, she faces up to four years in prison.

A St. Louis City grand jury indicted Burger on Medicaid fraud charges last June, at the request of Attorney General Jay Nixon. Burger, who owns Burger Youth and Family Services at 4144 Lindell Boulevard, was charged with billing the Missouri Medicaid program for psychological counseling services she did not provide.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the state will not prosecute the 15 other counts contained in the 2003 grand jury indictment.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General's Office prosecuted the charges and is handling the plea agreement. The unit has authority under state law to investigate and prosecute, both criminally and civilly, 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