Cincinnati man faces 31 felony charges in $12m Medicaid fraud targeting children's services

Robert Haley, 63, appeared in Butler County court after allegedly defrauding Ohio's Medicaid programme of over $12 million. He is one of four defendants in a broader $30m southern Ohio fraud scheme.

Cincinnati man charged over $12 million Medicaid fraud tied to children's programmes

A 63-year-old Cincinnati man appeared in Butler County court on Thursday after allegedly defrauding Ohio's Medicaid programme of more than $12 million, fox19.com reports, citing Attorney General Dave Yost.

Robert Haley faces 31 felony charges and was granted a $500,000 bond. Prosecutors said the fraudulent claims he submitted were for behavioural health services purportedly provided to children in after-school programmes in Butler County — funds that were meant to support those children directly.

State prosecutor Brian Walter described the operation as a large-scale criminal enterprise. "Of the funds that we have been able to locate in bank accounts, your honour, that is a pittance of this $12 million that we believe Mr. Haley caused to be submitted and lost to the Medicaid program," Walter told the court.

Haley's defence attorney, Derek Welt, argued against a high bond, saying his client posed neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. "He has significant ties to the community. This is not an offense of violence," Welt said.

Investigators allege Haley submitted more than $60,000 in fraudulent Medicaid claims between January 2020 and May 2026. He is also accused of forging the names of individuals listed as recipients of the aid on submitted applications.

The case extends beyond Butler County. The Department of Justice named Haley as one of four defendants in southern Ohio charged in connection with an alleged $30 million Medicaid fraud scheme. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel made the announcement in Columbus.

"In total, between our state and federal partners today, we're announcing charges that were either unsealed today or over the past week against 14 defendants allegedly involved in fraud schemes targeting over $50 million here in Ohio," Blanche said.

Federal authorities said they seized approximately $469,000 in cash from the southern Ohio scheme — a fraction of the total amount allegedly stolen. Investigators also confiscated 14 luxury vehicles, including Mercedes-Benzes, a Bentley, a Jaguar, and a Maserati.

Haley is scheduled to return to court on 7 July.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)