MILWAUKEE MAN CONVICTED OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FRAUD
 

MADISON - A Milwaukee man charged with fraudulent billing of Medicaid has been convicted of Medical Assistance Fraud, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today. Daron Cross appeared before Judge William Brash and entered a no-contest plea to five misdemeanor theft counts, the charges stem from his ownership of Best Way Transportation Company.

According to the Department of Justice's criminal complaint, Daron Cross, 38, 4152 North 84th Street, Milwaukee, owned Best Way Transportation Company, a specialized medical vehicle service that transports Medicaid recipients to and from medical appointments. Between April 2006 and July 2007, Cross billed the Medicaid program for services Best Way had not provided, billed for more miles than had actually been driven, and fabricated documentation for services.

Cross was sentenced to a total of 15 months in the Milwaukee House of Corrections, imposed and stayed, and placed on probation for a period of three years. As conditions of probation Cross was prohibited from participation in the Medicaid program, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $20,422, and required to make reasonable efforts to maintain full-time employment.

"These crimes affect Wisconsin taxpayers who fund Medical Assistance to eligible individuals," said Attorney General Van Hollen. "When people steal from Medical Assistance funds, they are stealing from those who have been identified as in most need and from the taxpaying citizens who fund this assistance."

The case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Thomas Storm.