Missouri's fight against Medicaid fraud scored a win this week as Attorney General Catherine Hanaway's office saw Dominique Clark enter a guilty plea and receive sentencing for defrauding the state's health care system. This case, originating in St. Louis, spotlights the ongoing efforts of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) to preserve the integrity of health services for the vulnerable. Clark has been ordered to pay upwards of $33,000 in restitution, a sum reflecting her submission of timesheets for services she knew she was unqualified to provide due to her criminal history.
In her scheme, Clark bypassed eligibility requirements and became employed as a personal care attendant (PCA) through Unique Home Health Care, LLC, despite having been denied a Good Cause Waiver back in 2017. The denial was based on Clark's pattern of shifting blame for her past transgressions, a conspicuous absence of remorse, and an apparent unwillingness to assume responsibility for her actions. Despite this, Clark resumed providing care without attempting to secure a new waiver, according to statements obtained by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Clark's legal consequences include the repayment of $11,660.63 in restitution, an equivalent figure in single damages, and an additional civil penalty of $10,000. Assistant Attorney General Lucas Chapman led the prosecution, referring to the diligent investigation conducted by the MFCU, demonstrating the state's zealous protection of Medicaid funds and beneficiary well-being. Arvids V. Petersons, speaking on behalf of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, stressed their mission to "safeguards public resources while ensuring that Missourians who rely on Medicaid receive the quality of care and dignity they deserve," as mentioned on the Missouri Attorney General Office website.
The case, which was prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, underscores the ongoing collaboration between various Missouri departments to combat fraudulent acts against social systems. The MFCU, a division expressed pride for their blend of skilled prosecutors and investigators, is dedicated to preventing the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable Missourians and protecting taxpayers' dollars. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office also indicated that funding for the MFCU largely comes from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant, which for the fiscal year 2026, amounts to over $3.5 million, with the state covering the remainder.
