Investigation leads to Medicaid fraud charges

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An 18-month Medicaid fraud investigation by the S.C. attorney general’s office has led to the arrests of the owners and former employees of a Midlands behavioral health clinic.

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the owners and employees of New Outlook Second Chance were charged with criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining signature or property under false pretenses, and Medicaid Assistance provider fraud.

Those charged include New Outlook Second Chance owners Bethena Jackson and Pearl Griffin, as well as former employees Ruth Henry, Kimberlee Morris, Shaneka Smith, Brittany Smith, Onyara Memminger, Charisse Robinson-West and Jewel Coleman. They are accused of being involved in a scheme to receive reimbursement from S.C. Medicaid for services not rendered.

New Outlook Second Chance provided behavioral health services to children and adults in offices in Columbia and Sumter. A total of 18 charges were brought against the nine defendants, according to a news release.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the attorney general’s office is prosecuting the case.