Vermont Business Magazine Gloria Relation, age 70, of Williamstown, Vermont, and Jamie LaFountain, age 27, of East Montpelier, Vermont, were each arraigned on July 30, 2015, in Vermont Superior Court for Washington County on one felony count of Medicaid fraud. Additionally, Chris Relation, age 43, of Barre, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count each of Medicaid Fraud, False Pretenses, and Identity Theft. The Court imposed conditions of release governing the parties’ conduct while the case is pending.
According to papers filed in court, Gloria Relation is accused of submitting claims for payments in excess of $29,000 for providing care to a disabled adult under the Developmental Services Medicaid waiver program, when, in fact, she did not provide the care. It is alleged that the care was actually provided by Chris Relation, who was excluded from providing care under the Medicaid program and to whom payments were not authorized. According to affidavits filed with the Court, Mr. Relation impersonated another individual to health care providers and state inspectors in order to perpetrate the scheme. Gloria Relation is alleged to have cashed the checks from ARIS Solutions, the payroll processor for the Medicaid Program, for the fraudulent services and provided the amounts in cash to Chris Relation.
According to the charging documents filed with the Court, Ms. LaFountain is also accused of submitting claims for payments for providing care to the same disabled adult under the Developmental Services Medicaid waiver program, when, in fact, she did not provide the care. According to affidavits filed with the Court, Ms. LaFountain submitted timesheets to the Medicaid program for times she was actually working for a different employer.
All three individuals pled not guilty to the charges. The Medicaid Fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years imprisonment and/or fines equal to twice the amount of payments wrongfully obtained. The False Pretense charge carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $2,000. The Identity Theft charge carries a maximum penalty of up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Vermont AG: July 30, 2015