Federal prosecutors in Charlotte say a local businessman spent years gaming the Medicaid system, quietly steering hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars through a company he allegedly tried to keep in the shadows.
The case centers on 56-year-old Ronnie Lorenzo Robinson Jr., who has been indicted in federal court on charges of health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements relating to health care matters, according to Queen City News. Prosecutors say Robinson submitted about $735,000 in bogus Medicaid reimbursement claims, with his company, Fisher of Men Project LLC, allegedly pulling in roughly $440,000 as a result.
The case is one slice of a sweeping federal crackdown. As reported by Health Exec, the Justice Department’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown targeted 455 defendants across dozens of federal districts, in cases tied to more than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims. The nationwide effort has featured provider suspensions, asset seizures and administrative moves designed to cut off suspected fraud before the money goes out the door.
What prosecutors allege
According to prosecutors, Robinson’s scheme started with stolen identities and a hidden hand on the books. They allege he obtained personal identifying information for licensed medical professionals and Medicaid recipients, then used those names to submit phony claims while concealing his control of Fisher of Men Project LLC. On paper, another person was listed as the owner, Queen City News reported.
The indictment further alleges Robinson had already been excluded from participating in Medicaid, which prosecutors say explains the shell-game approach to who actually ran the company. In other words, if the paperwork was honest about who owned Fisher of Men Project, the money would never have started flowing.
Legal exposure and next steps
Robinson now faces federal charges that carry plenty of prison time if he is convicted. Health care fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or up to 20 years if the scheme causes serious bodily injury. Aggravated identity theft under 18 U.S.C. § 1028A carries a mandatory two-year sentence that usually has to run on top of any other term the judge imposes.
The case has been filed in federal court, and an initial appearance or arraignment is expected to be set in the coming days. Robinson is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal court records, along with any public statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will provide the next clues about where this case is headed. Officials say anyone with information about the alleged scheme should contact federal investigators or the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
