Lots of things happen in Vegas, but most people would probably prefer that their adventures, like those of Shonna Nicole Marshall, 52, from Las Vegas, Nev., not make the news. According to her indictment, Marshall was also known as Shonna Nicole McKnight, Shonna Nicole Rodgers, Shonna Nicole Harper, and Shonna Nicole Newman. (Just speculating here, but perhaps she had been through a few drive-thru wedding chapels?)
The woman with plenty of aliases to hide behind pleaded guilty to a Medicaid fraud and money laundering scheme that stole more than $1 million from the government health care program meant for vulnerable individuals. (Wait ‘til you take a look at where all of that money went. Cash and WARNING: suspiciously named businesses that you could get in trouble for if you conduct an internet search of the names.)
An investigation was opened by the Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) after receiving a tip that Vegas Health LLC was submitting false information to Medicaid. (The MFCU investigates and prosecutes financial fraud, as well as instances of elder abuse or neglect.)
Investigators found that from October 2017 until about August 2018, Marshall, who worked for Vegas Health LLC (Vegas Health), falsely billed Medicaid for services that were not provided to beneficiaries. (One of the oldest fraud tricks in the book.) She used the personal identification information of Medicaid providers and beneficiaries without their knowledge or consent to carry out her crime.
Marshall set up a ghost company to receive the fraudulently obtained funds (all $1,161,684.32 of it) in multiple bank accounts. She also had multiple associates that helped to conceal the origination of the funds. (Fraudsters always have similar criminally minded friends who are willing to help out if they can have a piece of the fraud pie.) If you want to see where all that money went, take a look at the indictment to read more about the 27 felony counts against her. (WARNING: there are some interesting business names that may get you into trouble if you try to do an internet search.)
Marshall was sentenced to 48 – 120 months for committing Medicaid fraud and money laundering. She was also ordered to pay more than $750,000 in restitution, penalties, and costs. In other words, Marshall took a huge risk by gambling with the U.S. Government’s money, and she lost big. (Here’s some advice for anyone considering doing the same thing: Only gamble with money you can afford to lose, or you could lose everything.)
Today’s Fraud of the Day comes from a Nevada Attorney General’s Office press release, ”Attorney General Ford Announces Sentencing of Former Las Vegas Medicaid Provider Shonna Nicole Marshall,” dated February 16, 2022.
Las Vegas, NV – Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Shonna Nicole Marshall, 52, of Las Vegas, was sentenced in a Medicaid fraud and money laundering case involving falsely billing for Medicaid services allegedly provided to Medicaid recipients.
Marshall pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid Fraud and 26 counts of Money Laundering. District Court Judge Jasmin Lilly-Spells sentenced Marshall to a total of 48-120 months for the 27 felony counts of Medicaid Fraud and Money Laundering. As part of the sentence, Marshall also was ordered to pay more than $750,000 in restitution, penalties and costs. Individuals or businesses convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation.
