HARRISBURG – Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced criminal charges have been filed against three individuals accused of committing Medicaid fraud.
The charges were the result of investigations by the Office of Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section. Those charged are:
- Catrina Abbott, 33, 1831 S. 57th St., Philadelphia
- Robert Attucks Ruffin, 55, 609 Seagirt St., Pittsburgh
- Sandra D. Grisson, 49, 30 S. Church St., Apt. 5, Waynesboro, Franklin County
Abbott charges
According to a criminal complaint, Abbott is accused of submitting false time sheets that netted her more than $3,000 through fraudulent Medicaid claims.
She worked for nearly six months in 2013 providing attendant care services to her mother. She was employed as an independent contractor working through Public Partnerships LLC (PPL).
The Office of Attorney General received information from PPL that Abbott allegedly billed for services not rendered during a time period when her mother was hospitalized at two facilities.
Moreover, she submitted time sheets indicating she provided services to her mother through Aug. 10, 2013, when in fact a death certificate showed her mother died on Aug. 2 of that year, the criminal complaint alleges.
Abbott is charged with four counts of Medicaid fraud, two counts of theft by deception and one count of receiving stolen property. She was released on her own recognizance after a preliminary arraignment Thursday. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 16.
Ruffin charges
According to a criminal complaint, Ruffin is accused of receiving more than $2,000 by defrauding the Medical Assistance Program.
He was employed from January 2013 through July 2013 as a mobile therapist. He was tasked with providing services to two juveniles on behalf of the Philadelphia Mental Health Center, the complaint alleges.
The Office of Attorney General received information regarding an allegation that Ruffin billed for services not rendered. Specifically, guardians of the juvenile clients stated Ruffin was not providing services as scheduled.
Additionally, he is accused of submitting false time sheets and forging the signatures of the guardians, agents allege.
Ruffin is charged with four counts of Medicaid fraud, three counts each of theft by deception and forgery and one count of receiving stolen property. He was released on his own recognizance after a preliminary arraignment Thursday. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 16.
Grisson charges
According to a criminal complaint, Grisson submitted false time sheets that resulted in her being paid more than $2,000 for services she never rendered.
Grisson was employed as a personal care attendant and direct care worker through United Cerebral Palsy of South Central Pennsylvania (UCP) and Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL).
During the investigation, agents determined Grisson submitted timesheets to UCP and PPL for the same dates and times for services allegedly rendered to one of her clients. Grisson also allegedly submitted timesheets to UCP for the same client and two others with overlapping dates and times. The alleged false time sheets were submitted between February 2013 and April 2014.
Grisson is charged with two counts of Medicaid fraud and one count of theft by deception. Her bail was set at $20,000 unsecured at a preliminary arraignment Thursday. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 14.
