Oklahomans Face Medicaid Fraud Charges

The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office announced they made several arrests for Medicaid fraud. Charges were filed against four Oklahomans as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, according to a news release from AG Scott Pruitt's office.

Tulsan Steve Austin, 54, is accused of submitting claims for counseling services that never took place. He's charged with two felony and two misdemeanor counts of Medicaid fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 8 years in prison and fines of more than $79,000.

Kimberly Shoals, 42, of Oklahoma City is charged with two counts of Medicaid fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud. Shoals faces up to 16 years in prison and fines of more than $3,500,000 if convicted.

An Oklahoma City woman who worked as a behavioral health professional providing counseling services to Medicaid recipients also faces fraud charges. Assumpta Lange, 36, is accused of billing Medicaid for services she allegedly performed in the U.S. when she traveled abroad. They add up to more than $12,000 in Medicaid costs. She is charged with two counts of Medicaid fraud and one count of using a computer to commit a felony. 

The news release states if convicted, she faces up to 11 years in prison and fines of more than $42,000.

Physician Charles Eckman of Nichols Hills is accused of using the identity of one of his patients to receive medical services from a local hospital. He faces one count of false impersonation to receive Medicaid benefits. If found guilty, he could face up to three months in prison and fines of more than $500, the AG's office states.