Five Louisiana residents have been arrested on fraud charges, all accused of accepting government benefits to which they weren’t entitled, Attorney General Jeff Landry announced today.
Landry said his office is working with the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor on these cases and other investigations that are underway.
Two of those arrested are from the Acadiana area:
Harold Lejeune, 52 of Lafayette, was booked with one count of theft between $5,000 and $25,000. He allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in benefits, while averaging at least twice the monthly income limit for Medicaid.
Nolan Mallery, 45 of St. Martinville, was booked with one count of filing or maintaining false public records. He is alleged to have committed fraud by claiming his child resided with him and not the mother, whose income was well above the eligibility requirements for Medicaid benefits.
Also booked were:
Naji Khlaed Abdelsalam, 33 of Alexandria, booked with one count of theft over $25,000, one count of government benefits fraud, and one count of filing or maintaining false public records. He is alleged to have provided false information regarding his income and employment status in order to obtain welfare benefits for himself, his wife, and his five children. His family allegedly had over $40,000 worth of claims paid by the Medicaid program despite Mr. Abdelsalam’s ownership of several businesses – including two convenience stores, a tire service business, and a multi-million dollar Medicaid provider company. Abdelsalam was also booked by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with ten counts of medicaid fraud and one count of criminal conspiracy for alleged crimes committed as a provider.
Elton Miller, 43 of St. James, was booked with one count of filing or maintaining false public records. While allegedly receiving several thousands of dollars in benefits, he was earning nearly twice the monthly limit for Medicaid.
Jeannie Lee Herman, 60 of Bossier City, was booked with one count of government benefits fraud and one count of filing or maintaining false public records. She allegedly claimed income of $150 weekly, but filed income taxes showing an income over $40,000 annually.
