Seven Arrested in Arkansas Medicaid Fraud and Adult Abuse Cases, $99K in Fraudulent Claims
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced seven arrests tied to Medicaid fraud and adult abuse at state care facilities. Fraudulent claims total nearly $100,000.
Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Unit Nets Seven Arrests Across Multiple Investigations
Seven people have been arrested following investigations by the Arkansas Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, kvom.com reports. The cases involve alleged Medicaid fraud and abuse of vulnerable adults at state care facilities, with charges ranging from Class A felony to Class B misdemeanor.
Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the arrests, which include five felony charges and two misdemeanor charges.
Abuse at the Arkadelphia Human Development Center
Three of the arrests stem from an alleged incident at the Arkadelphia Human Development Center. Gregory Davell Clayborn, 33, of Arkadelphia, was arrested on 17 September on a Class D felony charge of abuse of an adult. The Attorney General's Office alleges Clayborn deliberately and unnecessarily struck a resident during his shift at the centre, causing the resident substantial physical pain and mental anguish.
Two colleagues — Shamirrah Desha Childs, 25, and Debbie Kay Thomas, 61, both of Arkadelphia — were arrested the same day on Class B misdemeanor charges of failure to report the abuse of an adult. Both worked as caregivers at the centre and are accused of failing to report Clayborn's alleged conduct. Special Agent Jacob Good led the investigation; the cases will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General David Jones and Corinne Kwapis in cooperation with Ninth-East Judicial District Prosecutor Dan Turner.
Nearly $100,000 in Fraudulent Medicaid Claims
Three further arrests concern separate Medicaid fraud allegations totalling $99,681.28.
Shane Phillips, 38, of Little Rock, was arrested on 17 September on a Class A felony Medicaid fraud charge — the most serious category. The Attorney General's Office alleges Phillips submitted $88,104.96 in claims for personal care and attendant care services during periods when his client was hospitalised and while Phillips was employed elsewhere. The case was referred by the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Kwapis in cooperation with Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones.
Sharon Whitaker, 59, of Conway, was arrested on 11 September on a Class B felony Medicaid fraud charge. Investigators allege Whitaker submitted $6,850.56 in claims for personal care services for clients living at an apartment complex she managed, during hours when she was scheduled to work as the property manager. Special Agent Laura Glover investigated the case; Assistant Attorney General Jones will prosecute in cooperation with Will Jones.
Michael Bodine, 33, of Beebe, was arrested on 18 September on a Class C felony Medicaid fraud charge. The Attorney General's Office alleges Bodine billed Medicaid for personal care services for two different beneficiaries while simultaneously working at a local business. Investigators allege more than 90 fraudulent claims totalling $4,725.76 were submitted. Special Agent Richard Morales investigated the case; Senior Assistant Attorney General Gabby Davis-Jones will prosecute in cooperation with Will Jones.
Seventh Arrest: Abuse at Booneville Facility
John Weis, 21, of Booneville, was arrested on 11 September on a Class D felony charge of abuse of a vulnerable person. The Attorney General's Office alleges Weis deliberately caused injury to a resident while working as a certified nursing assistant at the Booneville Human Development Center. Special Agent Glover investigated; the case will be prosecuted in cooperation with Fifteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Tom Tatum II.
Griffin credited investigators and attorneys within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their work across the cases.
The unit receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a federal fiscal year 2026 grant totalling $4,781,516, of which $3,586,140 is federally funded. The remaining 25%, totalling $1,195,376, is funded through Arkansas general revenue.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)