Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the Merrimack County Grand Jury has returned indictments charging Joseph Bye, age 31, and Sara Lapointe, age 28, both of Claremont with felony theft and Medicaid fraud, and Kimberly Patterson, age 51, of Cornish with felony perjury and Medicaid fraud.

In April 2022, the New Hampshire Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control Unit began investigating Mr. Bye and Ms. Lapointe after receiving information that the pair were submitting fraudulent requests for mileage reimbursement.

Mr. Bye and Ms. Lapoint are charged with class A felony theft by deception and two class B felony counts of Medicaid fraud. Ms. Patterson is charged with two class B felony counts of Medicaid fraud – false statements, and a class B felony count of perjury.

Ms. Lapointe’s next hearing is scheduled for November 27, 2023. Mr. Bye’s next hearing is scheduled for December 6, 2023. Ms. Patterson’s arraignment has not been scheduled yet. The charges and allegations against Mr. Bye, Ms. Lapointe, and Ms. Patterson are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

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.