Attorney General Rokita Announces Charges in Alleged $10.9 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme

By Hoosier Enquirer Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced Tuesday that six individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged scheme that authorities claim defrauded Indiana's Medicaid program of approximately $10.9 million through billing for services that were allegedly never provided.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the charges stem from an investigation involving Senior Home Care Agency, a for-profit provider of Medicaid waiver services, including attendant care, home and community assistance, and transportation services. The company was originally established in Indianapolis in 2023, with its Medicaid service location later changed to Mooresville in 2024.

Attorney General Rokita described the alleged fraud as a direct theft from Indiana taxpayers and an exploitation of programs intended to assist vulnerable Hoosiers.

"It is important to remember that these people are stealing from taxpayers—from you," Rokita said in announcing the charges. "Committing fraud and stealing from taxpayers is bad enough, but it is especially egregious when it's committed against our most vulnerable citizens."

The largest share of the alleged losses is tied to defendants Alexander D. Byrnes, 39, and Faith A. Casas, 26.

Byrnes has been charged with 14 counts of Level 4 felony fraud, 35 counts of Level 5 felony fraud, and one count of Level 6 felony fraud. Prosecutors allege the scheme resulted in approximately $10.9 million in losses to the Medicaid program.

Casas faces similar allegations, including charges of aiding, inducing, or causing an offense, in addition to 14 Level 4 felony fraud counts, 35 Level 5 felony fraud counts, and one Level 6 felony fraud count. Authorities similarly allege losses totaling approximately $10.9 million.

Other individuals charged include:

• Nichole A. Hoyt, 41, who is accused of ten counts of Level 6 felony fraud involving approximately $223,871 in alleged losses;

• Jessica K. Schoof, 45, who faces ten counts of Level 6 felony fraud involving approximately $223,871 in alleged losses;

• Cortez L. Crook, 35, who is charged with three counts of Level 6 felony fraud involving approximately $75,540 in alleged losses; and

• LaShawn N. Wright, 40, who is also charged with three counts of Level 6 felony fraud involving approximately $75,540 in alleged losses.

  
  

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation once again highlights concerns regarding fraud within government benefit programs and the difficulty of ensuring proper oversight over billions of dollars flowing through Medicaid systems nationwide.

Since taking office in January 2021, Rokita's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has recovered more than $100 million through nearly 100 separate civil and criminal actions, according to the Attorney General's Office.

The Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates allegations involving fraudulent billing practices by healthcare providers, as well as claims involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation of patients receiving Medicaid-funded services.

The unit operates through a combination of state and federal funding, with approximately 75 percent of its budget provided through grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the remaining 25 percent funded by Indiana taxpayers.

The alleged $10.9 million scheme also raises broader policy questions regarding oversight of rapidly growing Medicaid home-care programs. As states increasingly shift long-term care services from institutional settings into home and community-based programs, ensuring adequate safeguards against fraud and abuse remains an ongoing challenge.

For Indiana taxpayers, the allegations are particularly troubling because every dollar allegedly lost to fraud is money unavailable for legitimate healthcare services for seniors, disabled individuals, and other vulnerable residents who depend upon Medicaid assistance.

Court proceedings in the matter are expected to continue in the coming months.

Editor's Note: The filing of criminal charges constitutes allegations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.