La. Couple Convicted of Medicaid Fraud

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti, Jr. announced that a jury has convicted a New Iberia couple of Medicaid fraud, felony theft, and money laundering.

Clarence Dudley and Jacklin Dudley were convicted of nine counts of Medicaid Fraud each and one count of felony theft each. The jury also convicted Clarence Dudley of one count of money laundering in excess of $100,000. Sentencing will be March 14, 2005. The possible penalties include 5 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine for each of the Medicaid fraud counts; 10 years in prison and/or a $3,000 dollar fine for each count of felony theft and 5 to 99 years in prison and may be fined not more than $50,000 for each count of money laundering.

Clarence Dudley was released on $20,000 bond and Jacklin Dudley was released on $50,000 bond.

Clarence Dudley and Jacklin Dudley were charged with Medicaid fraud and theft in 2001 for reportedly billing Medicaid multiple times through their West End Kidmed Clinic in New Iberia for services that were never provided.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Investigators (MFCU) found that between March 13, 2001 and Sept. 19, 2001, West End Kidmed Clinic submitted, and was paid by Medicaid, for claims totaling more than $400,000 for screening, nurse consultations and nutrition consultations that were never provided.