October 27, 2010 Media Contact: Jenn Meale Phone: (850) 245-0150

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During the investigation of Eureka Butler, 38, d/b/a Gwen Andrews, Inc., investigators discovered that numerous individuals in the Tallahassee area defrauded the Medicaid program out of more than $155,000. Rhonda Woulard, 44, Katina Lockwood, 30, Hubert Lynch, 53, and Gloria Johnson, 48,
all members of Butler’s staff, allegedly forged criminal background check documentation for convicted felons, high school diplomas, and training certificates so that it would appear that employees were qualified to provide services to the developmentally disabled. Under the direction of Butler, these individuals also created documentation of services that never occurred to support Medicaid claims.

In another investigation centered in Bay County, a disabled adult was found living in an unsafe apartment soiled with feline feces and with no electricity. Patricia Catazano, 58, of Bay County and Margo Keeler, 42, of Okaloosa County shared the responsibility of ensuring the victim’s living conditions were safe.

Investigators discovered that Marcus Hughes, 25, of Leon County, left a disabled adult alone in a car on numerous occasions while he went to the gym. The investigation revealed that Hughes was paid more than $1,500 for Medicaid services he did not provide. A separate investigation revealed that Restee Smith, 53, also of Leon County, failed to provide a recipient with several psychotropic medications which could have resulted in his injury.

Several of the investigations revealed providers who billed for services that they did not provide including: Arther Williamson, 51, of Jacksonville, who was paid more than $3,500 for Medicaid services allegedly performed while he was at another job or in class; Stephen Kanuch, 44, of Panama City, and Brian Edwards, 35, of Tallahassee, who were paid more than $13,000 combined for Medicaid services allegedly performed when recipients were with family; and Felicia Davis, 43, formerly of Levy County, who was paid more than $9,000 by Medicaid for community based services allegedly performed while recipients were hospitalized.

The following individuals were arrested:

· Marcus Hughes was charged with Medicaid provider fraud and neglect of a disabled adult, both third-degree felonies. If convicted of both charges, he faces a maximum 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
· Restee Smith was charged with neglect of a disabled adult, a third-degree felony. If convicted, he faces a maximum five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
· Brian Edwards was charged with Medicaid provider fraud, a second-degree felony, as well as grand theft and communications fraud, both third degree felonies. If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum 25 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.
· Stephen Kanuch was charged with Medicaid provider fraud and communications fraud, both third-degree felonies. If convicted of both charges, he faces a maximum 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
· Arther Williamson was charged with Medicaid provider fraud and grand theft, both third-degree felonies. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
· Felicia Davis was charged with Medicaid provider fraud and communications fraud, both third-degree felonies. If convicted of both charges, she faces a maximum 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
· Katina Lockwood was charged with Medicaid provider fraud, communications fraud, and organized fraud, all third-degree felonies. If convicted of all charges, she faces a maximum 15 years in prison and $15,000 in fines.
· Rhonda Woulard was charged with neglect, Medicaid provider fraud, organized fraud, and communications fraud, all third degree felonies. Woulard was also charged with falsification of a background screen and two counts of perjury, both first-degree misdemeanors. If convicted of all charges, she faces a maximum 23 years in prison and $23,000 in fines.
· Hubert Lynch was charged with forgery and organized scheme to defraud, both third-degree felonies. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
· Patricia Catazano and Margo Keeler were both charged with neglect of a disabled adult, a third-degree felony. If convicted, both women face a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

· Eureka Butler was charged with two counts of Medicaid provider fraud, a first-degree felony, one count of communications fraud, and one count organized fraud, both third-degree felonies. If convicted of all charges, she faces a maximum 20 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.
· Gloria Johnson, of Cairo, Georgia, was charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud, a first-degree felony, and one count of communications fraud, a third-degree felony. If convicted of both charges, she faces a maximum 35 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.