The office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Apr. 17 that nine Medicaid providers have been indicted in Franklin County, accused of defrauding the government health-care program by a combined $181,512 or stealing from clients.
The indictments are part of efforts to protect public funds and ensure accountability among those serving vulnerable populations. The cases involve allegations such as billing for services not rendered, falsifying timesheets, sending unauthorized individuals to provide care, and theft from protected persons.
“Whether fraud is a trickle or a flood, our mission remains the same: Protect Medicaid dollars and hold thieves accountable,” Yost said. “Our investigative team stands guard to ensure that every provider plays by the rules.”
Specific cases include providers who billed for services while clients were traveling abroad or hospitalized, one aide who admitted to sleeping during shifts due to exhaustion from other jobs, and another provider who allegedly gave a resident’s debit card to an acquaintance for unauthorized purchases. One case involves overbilling related to a minor client who died after being left unattended; this individual faces additional charges including involuntary manslaughter.
Ohio’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated these cases. The unit operates within the Health Care Fraud Section of the attorney general’s office and works with federal, state, and local partners to investigate health-care provider fraud as well as enforce laws protecting patients from abuse or neglect. Indictments are criminal allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.
The Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives most of its funding—75 percent—from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $16,553,872 for federal fiscal year 2026; the remaining 25 percent is funded by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at $5,517,956 for FY 2026.
Dave Yost leads the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as attorney general according to the official website. The office seeks to safeguard residents through law enforcement activities including consumer protection and prosecution across Columbus headquarters and regional offices throughout Ohio.
