Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the Grand Jury for the County of Merrimack has returned indictments charging Jennifer Harding, age 43, of Pembroke, New Hampshire, with one class A felony count of theft by deception and two class B felony counts of Medicaid fraud.

The theft indictment alleges that between June 1, 2020, and November 30, 2022, Ms. Harding, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, obtained control over funds belonging to the New Hampshire Medicaid program, in an aggregate amount of $16,213.59, by deception and with a purpose to deprive.

The Medicaid fraud indictments collectively allege that between June 1, 2020, and November 30, 2022, Ms. Harding, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, 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. Harding will be arraigned in Merrimack County Superior Court on September 28, 2023 at 9:30am. The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and Ms. Harding is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The maximum penalty on the class A felony is 7½-15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000.00 fine. The maximum penalty for the class B felonies is 3½-7 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000.00 fine.

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