A Brandon woman is facing federal charges of Medicaid fraud.
Misti Baker, 36, was arrested Wednesday based on allegations that she fraudulently diverted $77,307 from a state benefits program for children with serious health issues or disabilities, according to a statement from the office of the U.S. attorney for the District of Vermont.
Baker was one of more than 300 people arrested across the country as part of the nationwide effort to crack down on health care fraud, according to the Department of Justice. The alleged schemes totaled more than $900 million.
A grand jury in Rutland indicted Baker on June 8. According to the news release, Baker is accused of diverting the funds from Vermont’s children’s personal care services program. The assistance program is funded by a combination of federal and state money.
Three of Baker’s children qualified for the program. The indictment accuses her of submitting false time sheets and using the money herself, rather than for her children.
If Baker is convicted, she could face a maximum of 10 years behind bars and a fine of $250,000.
“Health care fraud is not an abstract or victimless crime,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont Eric Miller said in the statement.
