Attorney General's News Release

November 7, 2011

Attorney General Koster files criminal charges in Medicaid fraud case -- licensed clinical social worker faces 9 felony counts--

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Chris Koster said today a licensed clinical social worker, Abdullah Jamaal M. Ali, 61, has been charged with 9 felony counts of Medicaid fraud in St. Charles County court. Ali is charged with submitting false reimbursement claims to Medicaid for counseling services he did not perform.

“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 his Medicaid Fraud Unit's review of Ali’s subpoenaed progress notes and Medicaid claims found evidence of false billing. He said Ali allegedly has fraudulently billed more than $14,500 to Medicaid. Ali is charged with 9 Class C felonies, punishable by up to 7 years for each violation, plus penalties, restitution, and investigative costs.

As in all criminal cases, the charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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.