Felony

New York Man Convicted of Medicaid Fraud and Tax Evasion, Will Pay $1.8 Million in Restitution

Griffin: ‘My Office Will Continue To Hold Bad Actors Accountable And Pursue Those Who Exploit Arkansans’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the conviction of a New York man who pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud and tax evasion:

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“On April 30, Joseph Schwartz, 72, of New York pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid Fraud, a Class B felony, and one count of Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax, a Class C felony. Schwartz was sentenced to 12 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections with an additional 48 months suspended imposition of sentence; and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, court costs, and restitution totaling $1,801,620.53.

“Schwartz was the principal owner and president of Skyline Healthcare, LLC, which operated multiple nursing homes in Arkansas. These facilities received Medicaid payments for residents in their care. Schwartz submitted false and misleading information that impacted the per diem rates paid to the facilities.

“He also failed to pay insurance premiums for employees, neglected grocery bills—forcing staff to buy food for residents, and paid himself as an employee in multiple facilities. Two of his Arkansas nursing homes were later placed into receivership by the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

“In addition, Schwartz withheld taxes from employees’ paychecks but failed to file required documents or remit those withholdings to the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration.

“Schwartz didn’t just take advantage of our vulnerable population, he also preyed on Arkansans who worked in his facilities. By submitting false information to manipulate Medicaid payments and failing to turn over employee tax withholdings, he betrayed the trust placed in him as an employer and the owner of those nursing homes. My office will continue to hold bad actors accountable and pursue those who exploit Arkansans.

“I want to commend the exceptional work of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) for their continued commitment to protecting Arkansans. I specifically want to thank Deputy Attorney General Tammera Harrelson, Assistant Attorney General Danny Broaddrick, Investigator Andrea Murdock, Senior Special Agent Rhonda Swindle, Chief Investigator Gregory McKay, Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson, as well as the Prosecuting Attorney for the 6th Judicial District of Arkansas, Will Jones. I would also like to thank the Internal Revenue Service, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, and the Arkansas DF&A for their assistance on this case. Finally, I would like to thank South Dakota MFCU, Nebraska MFPAU, and the United States Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey for their collaboration on this case. This prosecution was the definition of a joint effort.”

The Arkansas MFCU receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant totaling $4,685,736 for the Federal fiscal year 2025, of which $3,514,304 is federally funded. The remaining 25%, totaling $1,171,432 for State Fiscal Year 2025, is funded by Arkansas General Revenue.

Attorney General Griffin Announces Arrest of Little Rock Man Following Organized Retail Crime Investigation; Accomplice Remains at Large

Griffin: ‘Anyone Engaging In Retail Crime … Should Know That We Are Committed To Holding Them Accountable’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing the arrest of a Little Rock man for theft of property:

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin

“Earlier this year, my dedicated organized retail crime investigator received information from one of our private sector partners about possible organized retail crime occurring at a Marshalls store in Little Rock. At least two individuals and possibly a third had been observed executing a coordinated effort to steal merchandise from Marshalls on multiple occasions. These individuals stole merchandise valued at $1,464.58 during two separate incidents in December 2024.

“My office opened an investigation and identified two subjects: Casey Murrell Cunningham, 28, of Little Rock, and Sasha Rena Ziegler, 32, of Little Rock. Last week, Cunningham was located in White County and was arrested by the White County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with theft of property, a Class D felony. After his arrest, it was discovered he also had active warrants from the Little Rock Police Department. He was transferred to Little Rock Police custody and transported to the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.

“Ziegler remains at large with a warrant issued for her arrest on the charge of theft of property. Anyone with information about Ziegler’s whereabouts should call my office at (501) 682-2007.

“I am grateful for the excellent work done by my Special Investigations Division and for the assistance of the White County Sheriff’s Office, the Little Rock Police Department, and Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones. Anyone engaging in retail crime, whether through an organized enterprise or through petty theft, should know that we are committed to holding them accountable.”

Attorney General Griffin Announces Conviction of North Little Rock Woman for Elder Abuse

Griffin: ‘Protecting seniors from abuse will continue to be a priority for my office’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the conviction of Ja’Layia McClendon, 28, of North Little Rock after she pleaded guilty in Pulaski County Circuit Court to the charge of Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Adult, a Class D Felony:

“Protecting seniors from abuse will continue to be a priority for my office. I congratulate my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their diligence in securing this conviction, especially Special Agent Heath Nelson and Assistant Attorney General Gabrielle Davis-Jones. I also thank Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones for the assistance of his office in this case.”

McClendon worked as a caregiver at Woodland Heights Senior Living, a Little Rock long-term care facility. She surrendered herself to law enforcement on October 31, 2024. McClendon struck an 82-year-old female resident who was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, leaving bruises on the resident’s face and forearm.

McClendon was sentenced to five years of probation and a $1,000 fine.

Arkansas Attorney General Griffin announces Medicaid fraud arrest

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the arrest of Victoria Smith-Williams, 36, of Conway on one count of Medicaid fraud, a Class B Felony:

“Working as a dental assistant while concurrently billing the state Medicaid program for the same hours worked is an affront to the hardworking taxpayers of our state. I will continue fighting against this type of fraud and holding people accountable for trying to take advantage of the state.

“I thank Chief Investigator Gregory McKay in my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for his diligence in securing this arrest. I am also grateful to the Arkansas State Police for its assistance along with Sixth Judicial Prosecutor Will Jones, who has appointed Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson to be the special deputy prosecutor in this case.”

Smith-Williams was arrested on October 17. While employed as a dental assistant, Smith-Williams submitted timesheets for Medicaid services purportedly rendered at the same time. She billed the state $18,000 for comprehensive community support services that were never rendered to Medicaid recipients. She was booked at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility and is currently free on $10,000 bond.

Attorney General Tim Griffin's Special Investigations Division and Law Enforcement partners arrest five for illegal gambling

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after five people were arrested in Bradley County on charges related to illegal gambling:

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“Agents in my Special Investigations Division worked with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and the Warren Police Department in a joint investigation of multiple illegal gambling operations in and near the city of Warren. The investigation led to the arrest of five individuals and the confiscation of nearly $40,000 in illegal funds.

“I have long said that my office serves as a resource for law enforcement agencies across Arkansas, so I am proud to see my Special Investigations team help shut down these operations and bring these criminals to justice. I appreciate Bradley County Sheriff Herschel Tillman and Warren Police Chief Shaun Hildreth for inviting us to be part of this investigation, and I congratulate them on their good work.”

After a months-long investigation during which probable cause was established that illegal gambling was taking place inside Que Lindo Michoacan in Warren and Spanky’s in Bradley County, warrants were executed at both locations Monday by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren Police Department, the Office of the Attorney General, Arkansas State Police, and the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force.

At Que Lindo Michoacan, Pablo Ceja, 32, of Warren was arrested and charged with one count of Keeping a Gambling House, a Class D felony, and one count of Gaming Devices-Prohibition, an unclassified misdemeanor. Authorities seized $15,000 and confiscated five electronic gambling machines.

At Spanky’s, Kaysie Miskell, 44, of Pine Bluff, Sandra Huntley, 41, of Kingsland, and Shony Penister, 36, of Warren, were all arrested and each charged with one count of Keeping a Gambling House. Keithron Gibbs, 39, of Warren, was arrested and charged with one count of Gaming Devices-Betting, a violation classified as neither a felony nor a misdemeanor. Authorities seized $24,150 and confiscated 41 electronic gambling machines.