Indictment: Woman Defrauded Medicaid; Bought Cars, Time Share

GASTONIA, N.C.,None — A Gastonia woman is accused of defrauding Medicaid of more than $1.4 million and using the money to buy cars, a home and a vacation time share.

Erika Holland, 41, was arrested Thursday and charged with five counts of money laundering.

According to an indictment, Holland conspired with 39-year-old Joanna Patronis and 48-year-old Giraud Hope to defraud Medicaid by submitting false claims from 2009 to September 2010. Patronis and Hope agreed to submit claims to Medicaid through Hope and Family Behavioral Resources, which is located in Charlotte, for services that were allegedly provided by Holland's companies, the indictment says.

Patronis also agreed to do the same through her company, A Time For Everything, according to the indictment.

Holland wasn't authorized by Medicaid to provide mental and behavioral health services, but she still sought reimbursement for services, the indictment says. She is accused of claiming that the services had been provided by Hope and Family Behavioral Resources and A Time For Everything.

The group also falsely said on claims that a licensed clinician had provided services and used the clinician's provider number, according to the indictment.

Patronis and Hope have pleaded guilty to their role in the scheme.

Holland's scheme caused Medicaid to pay more than $1,490,000 in reimbursements, the indictment alleges. She then used the money to buy several vehicles, including a 2003 Hummer H2, a 2007 BMW 750LI and a 2007 Infiniti QX56, the indictment says.

Holland also bought a home in Mount Holly and a time share in Kissimmee, Fla. with the money, the indictment says.

The U.S. Secret Service seized vehicles and more than $71,000 from Holland after the investigation.

Patronis pleaded guilty on April 18 to a single count of conspiring to commit health care fraud. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed that her criminal conduct resulted in a loss of over $2,500,000. Patronis agreed to forfeit $2,700,000, a 2010 Toyota Rav-4 and her home in Cramerton.

Hope pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 to a single count of conspiring to commit health care fraud. As part of his plea agreement, Hope agreed that his criminal conduct resulted in a loss of over $1,000,000.

Sentencing dates for Patronis and Hope have not been set yet.

More Information: Reporting Medicaid Fraud and Abuse

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