Two Clay Center co-defendants have pled no contest to Medicaid fraud related charges, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.
April “Michelle” Hockett, 49, pled no contest to unlawful acts relating to the Medicaid program, making a false claim to the Medicaid program, and theft. Donald Peterson, 53, pled no contest to conspiracy to commit unlawful acts relating to the Medicaid program and conspiracy to commit theft. Peterson and Hockett conspired to defraud the Medicaid system by submitting personal care attendant timesheets for services not actually provided.
As part of the plea, the defendants together must pay restitution in the amount of $26,418.31 to the Kansas Medicaid Program. The plea was accepted by Judge Paul E. Miller in Clay County District Court, who then entered a finding of guilty. Sentencing is set for June 5 at 9 a.m.
