Vt. Woman Charged in Medicaid Fraud Case

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced that Constance Goode, 43, of Essex Junction, Vt., was sentenced in Chittenden County District Court on Feb. 10, 2005 for Medicaid Fraud.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Goode pleaded guilty to knowingly altering her time sheets to increase her paycheck for services to a recipient of benefits under a Medicaid program. The program provides payments to caregivers for disabled children. Goode provided personal childcare to a family with a disabled child. Although Goode’s timesheets had to be approved and signed by the child’s parents, Goode reportedly altered the timesheets after they were already signed and submitted them for payment, which is a felony under Vermont law.

Goode was sentenced to an indefinite probationary period with the standard conditions of probation with additional special conditions that she not work in a paid or volunteer capacity for vulnerable adults, have no contact with the victim or her family and that she notify all current and future employers of her criminal record and probationary status.

Failure to abide by her conditions of probation may result in Goode’s incarceration for a period of six to 12 months.

Goode must also reimburse both the Medicaid Program and the victim’s family for the money she fraudulently obtained.