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[MM Curator Summary]: You paid $224k for bogus Medicaid claims to a mental health clinic in Illinois.
Clipped from: https://patch.com/illinois/beverly-mtgreenwood/owner-beverly-medical-center-charged-224k-medicaid-scam-raoul
Crime & Safety
Easter Jean Watson faces theft, fraud and forgery charges after officials said she submitted claims for psychotherapy services not provided.
Jeff Arnold,
Patch Staff
Posted Wed, Dec 14, 2022 at 12:05 pm CT
The owner of a Beverly-based mental health clinic fraudulently submitted Medicaid claims for psychotherapy services she never provided, according to criminal charges brought by the state’s Attorney General. (Shutterstock)
CHICAGO — A 74-year-old Chicago woman and owner of a Beverly-based mental health clinic faces criminal charges after prosecutors said that she filed nearly $225,000 in false Medicaid claims, officials announced on Wednesday.
Easter Jean Watson has been charged with theft, fraud and forgery and could spend the rest of the rest of her life in prison if convicted, Illinois Attorney General Attorney Kwame Raoul announced. Watson is charged with managed health care fraud, two counts of theft and forgery in connection with the alleged fraudulent activity.
Watson is a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Loudek Community Services, according to a news release. Raoul said in a news release that she submitted claims for psychotherapy and counseling services that she did not provide to 10 Medicaid Managed Care patients.
Find out what’s happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A message left at the health clinic seeking comment on the charges brought against Watson was not immediately returned to Patch on Wednesday.
According to the agency’s website, the organization provides a Behavioral Health Agency whose overall goal is to provide quality, comprehensive, holistic services to individuals across the lifespan. Loudek, the website said, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those individuals we serve through psychotherapeutic counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, family stabilization and substance abuse treatment.
Find out what’s happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Thousands of Illinois residents rely on Medicaid for their health care. It is unconscionable that a health care provider would defraud the people of Illinois by allegedly misusing needed Medicaid resources,” Raoul said. “I am committed to working with the Illinois State Police to identify Medicaid fraud and hold those who engage in it accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Raoul said.
“The Illinois State Police will continue to work closely with Attorney General Raoul’s office to ensure those who attempt to defraud government and the taxpayers will be brought to justice,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in a news release.
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