News from Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2016
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A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES SENTENCING OF FORMER PRIVATE DUTY NURSE SENTENCED FOR STEALING OVER $19K FROM STATE’S MEDICAID PROGRAM
Jill Tiefel Falsified Timesheets Resulting In Medicaid Payments Of Over $19K
Schneiderman: Medicaid Fraud Hurts Taxpayers And Those Responsible Will Be Fully Prosecuted
ROCHESTER – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Jill Tiefel, a licensed practical nurse who formerly provided in-home nursing services to a Medicaid recipient. Tiefel, 34, of Rochester, has been sentenced to three years of probation and restitution in connection with her falsification of timesheets that resulted in Medicaid payments made to her in excess of $19,000.
“The Medicaid program is an integral component of our state’s commitment to the care of those in need and relies on the honesty and integrity of those who implement it,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Any fraud or abuse increases the potential burden on taxpayers and as such, will not be tolerated by my office. I will continue to prosecute perpetrators of fraud to the fullest extent of the law.”
Tiefel pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny based on her payment from the Medicaid program for approximately 269 hours of services that were either not provided or provided by other individuals. She will be required to pay restitution in the amount of $7,564.02. In addition to restitution, a judgment was entered in the amount of $12,121.65, representing the remainder of the total loss to Medicaid as a result of Tiefel’s false representations to the program.
The case was investigated by Special Investigator Debra Clementi with assistance from MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator William Falk and Auditor Investigator Kaitlynn Zaffuto supervised by Rochester Chief Auditor Thomas Clarke. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Margaret A. Jones in the MFCU Rochester Office. Catherine Wagner is the Regional Director and the Upstate Chief of Criminal Investigations for MFCU. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul Mahoney. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.