Hanlon Law Home
Medicaid Fraud
Criminal offenses are too often sensationalized by the media and by Hollywood. High profile defense lawyers with few scruples defend their clients for heinous crimes and get them off on technicalities or with surprise evidence. The reality is often far less sexy than what is portrayed to us by the mass media. And while we certainly represent clients charged with high profile and violent offenses, the truth is that a majority of crimes charged in our state are nonviolent and somewhat boring. The State of Florida, along with many others in the United States, has taken it upon itself to criminalize a shocking amount of conduct that would be settled in a civil court in almost any other nation.
People charged with crimes also do not usually fit the mold built for them by TV and movies. As criminal defense lawyers who practice in the real world, we know that many of our clients are victims themselves in one way or another. Even moreso, those clients found themselves in desperate situations that made their actions, though illegal, necessary for the survival of their families. It is these aspects that are often overlooked by police and prosecutors. And it is this side of the criminal justice system that we work to expose in order to achieve the best results for our clients. If you’ve been charged with a crime and you found yourself in a similarly desperate situation, don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer to help build your defense.
Medicaid Fraud ElementsOne of the more common offenses that we see committed by people who have been forced into it by survival is medicaid fraud. Medicaid fraud is an offense that falls under the umbrella of public assistance fraud. Whenever anyone hears the word fraud they automatically begin to think about shady dealings and nefarious characters. The reality, as usual, is much more sad. Those that commit medicaid fraud very rarely if ever profit from their offense. This is because those who commit medicaid fraud do not directly receive any money as a result of their crime. If you’ve been charged with medicaid fraud, then you were probably simply looking out for the wellbeing of your family. You should not hesitate to contact a skilled St. Petersburg criminal lawyer to look out for your best interests.
Medicaid fraud is prohibited under Florida Statute 414.39. Under the law, any person who makes a false statement, misrepresentation, impersonation, or by other fraudulent means, fails to disclose a material fact or a change in circumstances in order to obtain or continue to obtain medicaid assistance is guilty of the crime of medicaid fraud. Under the law, a person can be prosecuted for medicaid fraud if they make a false statement in their application or in a reapplication.
Most commonly, people will honestly apply for and receive medicaid benefits for their children. The income threshold to obtain such benefits is shockingly low, and the same people who apply for these benefits will often turn down incremental raises at work or other income opportunities as that will usually result in the loss of needed benefits for loved ones. When the ability to turn down increases in income becomes more impossible, these people are often relegated to concealing this information from the Department of Children and Families. The state of Florida, however, does not fool around when it comes to money, and is very good at tracking down those who make even a cent more than the threshold for medicaid assistance. If this sounds like your case, don’t hesitate to contact a skilled St. Petersburg criminal attorney.
Speak to our Lawyers TodayThe attorneys at Hanlon Law are experienced and prepared to fight for the best possible resolution to your case. If you’ve been charged with any crime including medicaid fraud, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation at 727.289.0222.
