Officials: Couple rakes in $80K in Medicaid fraud

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A central Florida couple were supposed to be helping local Medicaid recipients, but instead they are accused of using their patients to rip off taxpayers.

Investigators said the patients were mentally ill residents who needed help.

Authorities said James and Grisselle Davis over billed Medicaid in the names of the patients and made off with nearly $80,000.

Neighbors told WFTV the business's parking lot was always packed.

"It's disgusting. There's a lot of people who really need it and they're not getting it, and they're taking from innocent people who need it. That's not right," said Minneola resident Raj Ramphal.

Ramphal's brother lives next to the office building where the Davis' worked on East Washington

Street in Minneola. The pair was supposed to pair up Medicaid recipients struggling with mental health problems with community services who could help them.

Instead, investigators said in some cases, the couple billed Medicaid as if an entire family needed treatment, instead of just one member.

The couple has been arrested, and what was once a busy parking lot is now empty.

"That's crazy. I had no idea that was going on right across the street," said Minneola resident Rebecca Siple.

WFTV