Nine members of Eastern Shore family all face Medicaid fraud charges

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Corie Lynne Davis, 49, of Salisbury, and eight of her family members “have engaged in a coordinated scheme to defraud the Maryland Medicaid program,” according to the Maryland Attorney General‘s Office.

Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that an Anne Arundel County grand jury returned indictments for the nine individuals alleged to have engaged in a coordinated scheme to defraud the Maryland Medicaid program.

“Medicaid is a lifeline for thousands of Marylanders with developmental disabilities, helping them access critical care and live independently in their communities. Every dollar these defendants allegedly stole is a dollar that cannot go toward the care and support these residents need and deserve,” Brown said. “Our Office will always fight to protect Medicaid and the vulnerable Marylanders it serves.”

Corie Lynne Davis is a support broker who owns Infinite Abilities. Infinite Abilities provides support broker services – such as information, coaching, and advice – to individuals with developmental disabilities that participate in the Self-Directed Services Program.

She is charged along with six of her daughters, her son-in-law, and her sister-in-law with defrauding a State Health Plan – specifically Medicaid – involving a value greater than $1,500. Medicaid is a U.S. government health insurance program that provides coverage to low‑income and vulnerable residents. The alleged fraudulent conduct includes knowingly and willfully submitting false information to obtain payment for healthcare services.

Corie Davis is charged along with her six daughters, Ashley Renee Davis, 25, and Alesha Fay Davis, 29, both of Princess Anne; Ce’Airra Rebecca Davis, 24, and Selena Lynne Davis, 22, both of Salisbury; Destiny Larae Little, 30, of Fruitland; Jocelyn Marie Davis, 28, of Pocomoke City; her son-in-law Desmond Samuel Lake, 27, of Salisbury; and her sister-in-law Matilda Ann Tull, 64, of Salisbury, on charges including conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud (valued over $1,500), and identity fraud. Desmond Lake is a Princess Anne police officer and Ce’Airra Davis is a Somerset County sheriff’s deputy.

Defendant Corie Davis faces an additional charge of making a false statement in an application for public assistance. The state alleges that Corie Davis knowingly misstated her income and household composition when applying for Medicaid benefits.

As with all criminal cases, these charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

“The allegations in this indictment are serious and made even more disturbing because they involve law enforcement officers,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Theft from programs meant to support people with developmental disabilities will not be tolerated. HHS‑OIG is unwavering in our commitment to work with partners including the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, and the Maryland State Police to protect vulnerable victims from fraud perpetrators and ensure the integrity of the Medicaid program.”

Reporting by Keith Demko, Salisbury Daily Times / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.