La. AG’s Medicaid Fraud Unit Arrests Three

Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., reported that the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) recently arrested three individuals, in separate cases, regarding alleged patient abuse.

On March 29, 2006, MFCU Special Agents arrested Rashelle Edwards, 806 Latour Street, Apt. 36, Ville Platte, La., on one count of simple battery of the infirm. Special agents allege that Edwards, a former employee of Heritage Manor of Ville Platte, struck an eighty-one year old resident in the face when the resident did not want to leave the dining room table. The Mamou Police Department assisted with the arrest.

On March 31, 2006, Tamatha Davis, 1410 South 5th Street, Monroe, La., surrendered to MFCU special agents on one count of false imprisonment and one count of cruelty to the infirm. Davis, a former employee of Landmark Nursing & Rehab Center in West Monroe, allegedly barricaded an eighty-three year old resident in her room because the resident wandered the halls at night. Davis was booked into Ouachita Parish Prison; bond was set at $10,000.

Also on March 31, 2006, DeShundra N. Johnson, 1520 Cynthia Street, Jonesboro, La., surrendered to MFCU special agents on one count of simple battery of the infirm. Johnson, a former employee of Jackson Manor Care and Rehabilitation Center in Jonesboro, allegedly began wrestling with a sixty-one year old resident. The wrestling allegedly led to Johnson hitting the resident on the top of his head with the palm of her hand. Johnson was booked into Jackson Parish Prison; bond was set at $2,500.

If you wish to report abuse in a Medicaid funded facility, please contact the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit at 1-888-799-6885.