Defendant Maria Quinones Accused Of Misrepresenting Educational Credentials To Obtain Job At The Community Place of Greater Rochester
ROCHESTER – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced Maria Quinones, 43, of Rochester, was charged with Grand Larceny, a felony, in Rochester City Court, for causing the New York State Medicaid program to be illegally billed more than $13,000. It is alleged that Quinones falsely claimed to have a college degree in order to obtain a job at The Community Place of Greater Rochester (CPGR). CPGR then billed Medicaid for client services performed by Quinones. State Medicaid regulations require providers to have at least an associate’s degree or be a Registered Nurse.
“When individuals defraud Medicaid, it diverts resources from New Yorkers who count on this program for essential services,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue to safeguard taxpayer dollars and hold individuals accountable when public funds are misused.”
Quinones was arraigned before The Honorable Melchor Castro in Rochester City Court and was charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony. Quinones was released on her own recognizance and the case was adjourned until June 30, 2015.
If convicted, Quinones faces a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison.
The case was investigated by Special Investigator Jason Rice with assistance from MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator William Falk. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Timothy McFarland. Catherine Wagner is Director of the Rochester Regional MFCU Office and the Upstate Chief of Criminal Investigations. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Acting Director Amy Held. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.
The charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.