Magnolia woman fraudulently bills Medicaid for nonexistent mental health services

HOUSTON – A 34-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Tekiyah McLeod served as the registered agent for nLove Community Services LLC, which purported to provide mental health therapy services to Medicaid beneficiaries. McLeod admitted billing Medicaid approximately $477,872 for mental health therapy services that were never provided, including services purportedly provided to herself. She also used a nurse practitioner’s name and National Provider Identifier to submit fraudulent claims without the practitioner’s knowledge or consent.

As a result of the fraudulent claims, McLeod received approximately $453,323 from Medicaid. “Another day, another Medicaid fraudster brought to justice. Why are medical expenses so out of control in this country? In large part because of scammers like Tekiyah,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. “Her conduct is despicable, and I trust she’ll have time to dwell on that while in prison for ripping off the American taxpayer.”

U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and will impose sentencing Dec. 16. At that time, McLeod faces up to 10 years in federal prison for health care fraud and a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. McLeod was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum is prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division which is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.