Attorney General's News Release

June 9, 2011

Wright County woman pleads guilty to 4 felony counts in Medicaid fraud case

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Chris Koster said today a Mountain Grove licensed professional counselor has pled guilty to 4 felony counts of Medicaid fraud, including two counts of making false statements to receive Medicaid payments, one count of obstruction of a Medicaid investigation, and one count of stealing by deceit. Lorraine R. Kusior, 58, admitted that she submitted false reimbursement claims to Medicaid for counseling services she did not perform and provided false patient records with the intention to defraud the state and MO HealthNet.

"One of my top priorities as Attorney General is to enforce our laws against those who cheat Missouri taxpayers by committing Medicaid fraud," Koster said. "We will continue to search for individuals who would perpetrate this kind of fraud, and recover public money stolen from our health care system."

Koster said the case originated in Wright County but was ultimately transferred to Pulaski County for trial. He thanked Wright County Prosecuting Attorney Jason MacPherson and Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hillman for their assistance and cooperation in this successful prosecution. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Tracy Storie accepted the guilty pleas of Kusior yesterday and has scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2011, in Waynesville, Missouri.

Koster encouraged citizens to report suspected Medicaid provider fraud or abuse and neglect to his Medicaid Fraud Hotline toll free at 800-286-3932, e-mail the complaint to attorney.general@ago.mo.gov or complete a complaint form at the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Website.