Springfield, IL –The Illinois State Police (ISP) announce the sentencing of a former personal assistant.  On September 27, 2016, Haydee Lopez, age 31 of Chicago, pled guilty to one count of Vendor Fraud, a class 1 felony, in Cook County.  

On July 11, 2013, the ISP, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau (MFCB) received a complaint from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services – Office of Inspector General, concerning possible Medicaid fraud.  The ISP, MFCB conducted an investigation and determined that Lopez defrauded Medicaid in the amount of $28,754.  The investigation revealed Lopez had submitted fraudulent documents to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) – Division of Rehabilitation Services for payment for providing personal care services to a Medicaid recipient in Illinois.  ISP MFCB agents discovered Lopez, the Medicaid recipient, or both, were actually living in Mexico and vacationing in the Bahamas during the same time she was claiming she provided personal care services in Illinois. 

“It’s troubling when people steal money from a program designed to assist people with limited resources,” stated Captain Brian Ley, Commander of the ISP, MFCB.  “When you’re committing Medicaid fraud, you’re not only stealing from the government, your stealing from those most in need.  We will continue to aggressively investigate cases of provider fraud within the Medicaid program,” he continued. 

Once investigated, the case was referred to the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Bureau for prosecution.

Lopez was sentenced to 24 months of Felony Probation and 20 days in the Cook County Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program.  This sentence is in addition to the 133 days Lopez already served on electronic home monitoring.  Lopez has also been ordered to pay $28,754 in restitution to IDHS.

Individuals are encouraged to call the ISP Medicaid Fraud Hotline at (888) 557-9503 to report suspected fraud of medical providers involved the Medicaid system.