(The Center Square) – A Milwaukee woman is being accused of defrauding Wisconsin’s Medicaid program out of nearly $2.2 million and using the proceeds to buy Kitt’s Frozen Custard in Milwaukee, along with an Octopus Car Wash and a Mercedes Benz AMG S63.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice filed charges against 44-year-old Debbie Long of Milwaukee, accusing her of funneling funds through shell companies to conceal the alleged fraudulent transactions from Pinnacle Home Health Care, where Long is owner and administrator.
Long is accused of billing for almost $2.2 million by billing for personal care services which did not take place.
She is charged with theft by fraud and fraud against a financial institution greater than $100,000 along with wire fraud and money laundering over $100,000.
“Public benefit programs rely upon tax dollars to provide critical services,” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. “It is critical to protect the integrity of these programs.”
Long is also accused of fraudulently obtaining a $219,072 Paycheck Protection Program loan from the federal government by inflating the size of Pinnacle’s payroll and workforce.
The investigation was led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit and Division of Criminal Investigation along with assistance from the Greenfield Police Department.
