In Fort Collins and Larimer County, Forgery is charged when a person is accused of creating or altering a document with the intent to defraud. Three women in Colorado were recently investigated and charged with this crime, along with Theft and Money Laundering after it was discovered they were filing false claims with Medicaid. According to the report, the three worked together to claim that one of the women was providing home health care. The problem was that the woman who was the alleged ‘home health care provider’ was incarcerated in a Colorado prison during the time the claims were filed. It was reported that the three women worked together to file falsify timesheets and cash the checks for services that were not actually rendered. The State alleges that more than $134,000 was stolen from Medicaid funds through the false claims. The investigators were able to listen to phone calls (which are all recorded from the prison) and confirm the scheme. Then, when questioned, the two women not in prison who were involved confessed to their part in the scam.
Larimer County Forgery Attorney: Definition of Medicaid Forgery in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Forgery – C.R.S. 18-5-102 – is:
(a) Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government or government agency; or
(b) Part of an issue of stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property; or
(c) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, promissory note, check, or other instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status; or
(d) A public record or an instrument filed or required by law to be filed or legally fileable in or with a public office or public servant; or
(e) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public servant, or government agency; or
(f) Part of an issue of tokens, transfers, certificates, or other articles manufactured and designed for use in transportation fees upon public conveyances, or as symbols of value usable in place of money for the purchase of property or services available to the public for compensation; or
(g) Part of an issue of lottery tickets or shares designed for use in the lottery held pursuant to article 40 of title 44; or
(h) A document-making implement that may be used or is used in the production of a false identification document or in the production of another document-making implement to produce false identification documents.
It seems all the women participated in falsifying the timesheets and signing the Medicaid checks for deposit, so they are all facing this felony charge.
Sentence for Forgery in Medicaid Case in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Forgery is a class 5 felony. This level felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $100,000 in fines. The woman who was alleged to have run the scam from prison is currently serving an 8-year sentence and a 3-year sentence.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Forgery, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR GREELEY SITE. Together, we can protect your future.
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