TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Broward Sheriff’s Office today arrested Andrew James Jones and Johanna Courts for falsely billing the Florida Medicaid program for services not rendered. Jones and Courts are the owner and chief operating officer of Cornerstone Community Mental Health Services. An investigation by MFCU revealed that the duo defrauded the Medicaid program out of more than $148,000.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Medicaid fraud is a serious crime, and the defendants in this case face felony charges and stiff penalties for stealing nearly $150,000 from the state-run health care program. I am thankful my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit stopped this fraud scheme before the defendants stole even more taxpayer funds. Now, my Statewide Prosecutors will ensure these criminals face justice.”
According to the investigation, Jones and Courts formed and operated CCMHS, a company authorized to provide to Medicaid recipients—under the age of 21—specialized therapeutic services that included comprehensive behavioral health assessments, specialized therapeutic foster care and therapeutic group home services. CCMHS purported to serve patients with mental health, substance use and co-occurring disorders. The investigation disclosed that Jones and Courts submitted falsified claims for services not rendered to Medicaid recipients and received payment from the Florida Medicaid program for those falsified claims—amounting to $148,211.80 collected in a six-month period.
The investigation also revealed that Jones and Courts used the large deposits from Medicaid for payroll, personal expenses, mortgage payments and withdrawals at the Hard Rock Casino.
Both Jones and Courts are charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud, a first-degree felony, and grand theft, a first-degree felony. Each defendant faces up to 60 years in prison, if convicted. This case is being prosecuted by Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
