Attorney General Hanaway Secures Additional Guilty Plea in Medicaid Fraud Scheme For Services Billed While in Jail

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has secured a Medicaid fraud conviction against Melissa Bates, who orchestrated false personal care service claims while her daughter, Dajah Sanders, was incarcerated in the St. Louis County Justice Center. Bates used her own phone to clock Sanders in and out as if services were being provided, enabling Sanders to receive payments for care she could not have performed.

“Attempting to divert Medicaid dollars for personal gain, as seen in this mother‑daughter scheme, will always result in accountability,” said General Hanaway. “Every restitution order we secure strengthens the program and helps preserve critical services for Missouri’s most vulnerable residents.”

Sanders was incarcerated at the St. Louis County Justice Center from September 10–20, 2022. During this period, Bates submitted to Missouri Medicaid stating she was provided with personal care services on eight separate days, averaging about four hours each day. A total of seven false claims for services allegedly provided by Sanders to Bates were submitted while Sanders was in jail and could not provide services. The total loss to Missouri Medicaid for the fraudulent claims was $533.01. The State will hold each Defendant responsible for 50 percent of the restitution.

MFCU investigator’s analysis of bank account deposits and withdrawals indicates Bates and her daughter were check-splitting, a situation in which the Medicaid recipient and PCA collaborate to submit false claims then divide or split the fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds.