Louisiana authorities say they are cracking down on Medicaid fraud.
On Wednesday, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced a series of arrests in connection with a statewide investigation. In all, the newly-created Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested 21 people following the investigation.
According to Murrill, these arrests are in addition to 37 arrests made by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation for fraudulently obtaining Medicaid benefits.
Murrill said this year alone, her office has recovered more than $9 million in Medicaid overpayments and penalties. Murrill said her office will continue pursuing people who try to cheat the system.
"Today's announcement is a clear warning to anyone who thinks that they can cheat this system," Murrill said. "If you steal from Louisiana taxpayers, we are going to come after you."
Murrill says these arrests are just the beginning of her Medicaid fraud crackdown.
"I will not stop until the taxpayer dollars are recovered and those who break the law are brought to justice," Murrill said. "The people of Louisiana work hard every day to provide for their families. Their tax dollars are meant to help those in need of assistance, not to enrich criminals who manipulate the system for their personal gain.
