Attorney General's News Release

October 1, 2012

Attorney General Koster files criminal charges against three Kansas City-area women in Medicaid fraud cases

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Chris Koster said today that his office has charged three personal care attendants in Jackson County Circuit Court with Medicaid fraud.

According to Koster, Melissa Weaver, Kathy Conklin, and Hope Ford each sought payment from Medicaid for providing personal care services to Medicaid recipients in their homes on dates when the recipients were in the hospital. In addition, Conklin claimed to have provided personal care services to two recipients at the same time. Ford claimed to have provided personal care services on one occasion while she was incarcerated, and another occasion while she was in the hospital.

The investigation found that Medicaid was fraudulently billed for the following amounts: almost $9,000 related to Weaver, $2,500 related to Conklin, and $2,000 related to Ford. The women face multiple felony charges.

As in all criminal cases, the charges against the defendants are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Koster said citizens should 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.