A former office manager of a Montgomery County home care agency has received a prison sentence for her involvement in a significant Medicaid fraud scheme. Barbara Thomas, aged 46, was sentenced to serve between 9 to 23 months in state prison, followed by four years of probation. This ruling was announced by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and took place in Montgomery County Court. Thomas pleaded guilty to felony counts of Medicaid fraud, theft by deception, and corrupt organizations.
In addition to her prison sentence, Thomas was ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution, which she will share with her co-defendants. This restitution is aimed at recovering the losses stemming from the scheme that misappropriated nearly $1.76 million from Medicaid, a program designed to assist Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents.
Details of the Fraud Scheme
Between 2020 and 2023, Thomas held dual roles as both the office manager and case manager at ComfortZone Home Health Care. During this time, the agency repeatedly submitted claims to Medicaid for personal care services that were never provided. Investigators indicated that Thomas was actively involved in the daily operations of the agency and contributed significantly to the fraudulent billing practices that resulted in substantial improper payments.
Attorney General Sunday emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “This defendant had her hands in the day-to-day operations and was integrally involved in the advancement of a multi-year scheme that stole from taxpayers and defrauded a system designed to help vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”
This case emerged from a comprehensive two-year investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section in collaboration with the FBI. The investigation was supported by a presentment from the Fiftieth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The orchestrator of the fraudulent activities was identified as Stephanie Mobley, the owner of ComfortZone, an approved Medicaid provider. Mobley, along with 20 alleged co-conspirators, was charged with submitting false claims for care that was not delivered. To date, 18 individuals linked to this conspiracy have pleaded guilty, including Mobley, who is currently awaiting sentencing. Cases against the remaining three defendants are still in progress.
The prosecution of this case is being managed by Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna. Under legal standards, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat fraud in the Medicaid system, a critical program aimed at supporting those in need within the community. The actions taken by the Attorney General’s Office reflect a commitment to safeguarding taxpayer resources and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the care they require.