Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Sherry Samuel, age 49, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been indicted on charges of felony theft and Medicaid fraud.

In September 2022, the New Hampshire Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received information that Ms. Samuel was submitting fraudulent requests for mileage reimbursement. The Unit investigated the matter and determined that Ms. Samuel fraudulently submitted mileage reimbursement forms using a Bartlett, New Hampshire address when she was living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which resulted in Ms. Samuel receiving $45,463.95 in mileage reimbursement that she was not entitled to receive.

Ms. Samuel is charged with a class A felony count of Theft by Deception alleging that between September 28, 2020 and November 30, 2022, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, she obtained or exercised control over funds belonging to the New Hampshire Medicaid program, in an aggregate amount of more than $1,500.00 and with a purpose to deprive. She is also charged with two class B felony counts of Medicaid Fraud, alleging that between September 28, 2020 and November 30, 2022, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, Ms. Samuel knowingly made wholly or partially false or fraudulent records which are kept as documentation of any cost or expense claimed for reimbursement for any Medicaid-covered service, and that she knowingly caused false or fraudulent claims for payment for any Medicaid-covered service to be made, with an intent to defraud.

Ms. Samuel is scheduled to be arraigned on these charges on February 15, 2024. The charges and allegations against Ms. Samuel are merely accusations, and Ms. Samuel is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The maximum penalty on the class A felonies is 7 ½ to 15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000.00 fine. The maximum penalty on the class B felonies is 3 ½ to 7 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000.00 fine.

This case was investigated by Investigator John Lannon and Financial Analyst/Investigator Timothy Brackett of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Yourell and Attorney Connor Buchholz of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes fraud by healthcare providers who treat Medicaid beneficiaries. Healthcare providers include, but are not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, dentists, pharmacies, ambulance companies, and anyone else who is paid for providing healthcare services to Medicaid beneficiaries. If you would like to report a case of provider fraud, please contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (603) 271-1246.