HOUSTON, Texas — A Magnolia woman has pleaded guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft after federal officials said she submitted about $477,800 in Medicaid claims for mental health therapy services that were never provided. Tekiyah McLeod, 34, was accused of using a nurse practitioner’s name and National Provider Identifier without the practitioner’s knowledge while submitting the claims.
The Brief
- A 34-year-old Magnolia woman pleaded guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft after being accused of submitting false Medicaid claims.
- Officials said Tekiyah McLeod billed Medicaid about $477,800 for mental health therapy services that were never provided, including services listed for herself.
- McLeod is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16 and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for health care fraud, plus a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
Medicaid Fraud Case | Magnolia Woman Medicaid Fraud
What we know:
Tekiyah McLeod, 34, of Magnolia, pleaded guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. She was the registered agent for nLove Community Services LLC, a mental health therapy company.
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Federal officials said McLeod submitted about $477,800 in Medicaid claims for mental health therapy services that were never provided. The claims also included services reportedly listed for herself.
Authorities said McLeod used a nurse practitioner’s name and National Provider Identifier to file the claims without the practitioner’s knowledge. The FBI led the investigation, with help from Medicaid Fraud Control Units in Texas and Virginia.
McLeod is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16. She remains free on bond while awaiting sentencing and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for health care fraud, along with a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft and a possible fine of up to $250,000.
Local Details
Dig deeper:
The case involves a Magnolia woman who was registered as the agent for nLove Community Services LLC, a company described by federal officials as a mental health therapy business.
Federal authorities said the investigation was led by the FBI, 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.
Sentencing Details
McLeod is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 16 after pleading guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. She was allowed to remain on bond while waiting for the sentencing hearing.
For the health care fraud charge, McLeod faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory consecutive two-year prison sentence. She could also face a maximum fine of $250,000.
