Louisiana couple accused of defrauding Medicaid, SNAP benefits program
By KTBS staff
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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (KTBS) — A couple from Benton has been arrested on allegations they defrauded the Medicaid and SNAP benefits program of more than $126,000, according to Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office.
The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation received a criminal referral from Louisiana Department of Health regarding allegations that Krystle Garcia, 38, of Benton, a Medicaid recipient, had underreported her income for purposes to receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits.
During this investigation, LBI agents learned that in the period between October 2017 until June, Garcia underreported her household income, failed to disclose her marital status, and submitted false addresses to LDH. Garcia also allegedly intentionally misrepresented the availability of health insurance through her husband’s employer.
LBI’s investigation revealed that Garcia lived with her employed husband in Bossier Parish and provided LDH with information indicating she received no income and resided only with her minor children. Agents allege Garcia’s husband, Cody Simmons, 39, had participated in the scheme. Evidence disclosed that Simmons had private insurance coverage for himself but did not enroll Garcia or their children in his employer’s optional health insurance program. The investigation also yielded photographs of Simmons at Bossier Parish grocery stores utilizing Garcia’s SNAP benefits card to purchase large amounts of goods.
As a result of this scheme, the couple defrauded the Medicaid and SNAP benefits programs of more than $126,000, according to the AG.
“If you defraud the system, we will find you and prosecute you,” said Murrill in a statement.
The couple was arrested Wednesday and booked at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison pursuant to arrest warrants issued by the 19th Judicial District Court on charges pertaining to: Government benefits fraud Unauthorized use of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits Their bond information is unknown. The AG’s investigation is ongoing.
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