Woman accused of buying Lamborghini, plastic surgery with Medicaid fraud funds
Candace M. Taylor, 35, was arrested on Monday, July 28 in connection with a government benefits fraud scheme, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a news release.
Taylor's arrest comes after someone with the state's Department of Health filed a complaint with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, the attorney general's office said.
She allegedly spent the money between 2021 and 2024, according to the attorney general's office.
She was booked on July 28 into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, and the investigation is ongoing, the attorney general's office added.
As of Thursday, July 31, it is unclear whether Taylor retained a defense attorney.
Where did the money go?
According to Murrill's announcement of the charges, Taylor allegedly:
She also shared proof of her purchases on social media, the attorney general's office said.
How did authorities find out about Taylor's alleged purchases?
The Louisiana Department of Health contacted the criminal investigative division of the state's Department of Justice with a complaint about Taylor's behavior, informing them that she committed Medicaid Recipient Fraud.
According to the state Department of Health, Taylor underreported her income to receive Medicaid benefits.
The attorney general's office said the timeline looked like this:
Taylor's multiple businesses generated over $9M
What helped authorities piece the case together was looking at Taylor's tax records and social media.
Once investigators subpoenaed her tax records from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, agents learned she had bought a Lamborghini and paid for other luxury items and services, the attorney general's office said.
In 2020, despite being approved for Medicaid and claiming no income, Taylor's accounts showed deposits of $480,994.09, and over $325,000 of that came from her businesses, the attorney general's office said.
Between January 2020 and December 2024, Taylor's businesses generated over $9.5 million in revenue, according to Murrill's office.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Donaldsonville mayoral candidate arrested on obstruction of justice charge
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Jail records show that former Donaldsonville mayoral candidate and current vice chair of the West Ascension Hospital Board was arrested again Monday. Glenn Price, 68, was charged with obstruction of justice. Records available online show he posted a $5,000 bond and was released from the Ascension Parish Jail on Tuesday afternoon. A spokesperson for the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed that the latest arrest is connected to Price's previous arrest in October 2024 in connection with a multi-parish stolen property scheme. Investigators learned that Price allegedly tampered with evidence while colluding with his girlfriend. In a video posted on Facebook, Price called the charges 'bogus' and maintained his innocence. 'As a matter of fact, I stole nothing. I don't live my life as a thief. I live my life to work in my community because, once again, that's what God's mission is for my life,' he said. Detectives started an investigation into the theft and illegal sale of copper wire that was reportedly stolen from utility poles in Livingston and East Feliciana parishes in September 2024. According to Ascension Parish deputies, Price was accused of selling copper to a Baton Rouge recycling center without a license. Price was initially charged with license required and illegal possession of things over $25,000 on Oct. 11. He faced new charges of money laundering over $100,000, illegal transmission of monetary funds on Oct. 31. Louisiana woman accused of using Medicaid fraud funds to buy Lamborghini, plastic surgery Latest News Senate strikes deal to approve funding bills ahead of August recess Louisiana DCFS initiative helps noncustodial parents regain licenses: See how to sign up Multiple people shot at a Montana business, ATF says New tariffs are on the horizon Mexico creating 'hydro refugees' by not protecting water resources, researcher says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NYPD Searching for Lamborghini Driver Who Allegedly Hit Pedicab, Officer in Times Square
The driver of a Lamborghini who went through Times Square on Tuesday night could be in big trouble, the New York Police Department says — that is, if the NYPD can find them. An August 5th incident involving a blue Lamborghini Urus and an injured officer of the New York Police Department has led to the opening of an investigation into the driver of the 657-hp performance SUV, according to police. A video clip circulating around X started gaining traction earlier this morning, showing what appears an NYPD officer attempting to stop a group of streamers inside a Lamborghini Urus near Times Square; now, we have law enforcement's side of the story."On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at approximately 2219 hours, police responded to a reckless driver in the vicinity of West 44 Street and 7th Avenue, within the confines of the Midtown South Precinct. Officers observed a blue Lamborghini, operated by an unknown individual, strike a pedicab and flee the location. The Lamborghini proceeded to strike a uniformed police officer, causing minor injuries to the officer's foot. The officer was transported to a local area hospital in stable condition. There are no arrests at this time and the investigation is ongoing," the NYPD's deputy commissioner of public information told to Road & Track. Clips from a Kick streamer who goes by "Shangel" posted on the evening of August 5 appear to show an alternate angle of the Times Square incident. The minute-long clip is focused primarily on Shangel's face, but the backseat passenger does pan the camera forward to reveal the interior of a Lamborghini Urus, as well as the blinding lights of Times Square. Analysis of the original angle video on X confirms Shangel's presence, and has matching dialogue between vehicle occupants. Statements from the NYPD indicate that the driver of the Urus has managed to evade law enforcement officials as of this story's publication. As a result, we suspect that the driver of this blue Lamborghini will be laying low for the foreseeable future. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Politico
6 hours ago
- Politico
Newly released records linked to Hope Florida reignite intra-GOP political battle
The Florida settlement stems from an Ohio lawsuit alleging Centene's former pharmacy benefit manager pocketed tens of millions in drug rebates meant to benefit the state's Medicaid program. Centene subsequently established a $1.2 billion trust fund to settle similar claims filed by several other states. 'I am hopeful this will help the folks in the governor's office gain a better understanding of the fact that FL is receiving 3.4 times more than the most aggressive actual damages calculation,' Mississippi lawyer Matthew C. McDonald wrote to Tallahassee lobbyist Crystal Stickle, as detailed in the records. 'As we have discussed on multiple occasions, pursuing litigation in FL based on the conduct alleged in Ohio would result in the state recovering far less than is being offered as part of this settlement.' The records also detail the roles played by several key officials who took part in putting the settlement together. They include emails from Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, who is still awaiting Senate confirmation after being nominated by President Donald Trump in late May to become a federal judge. Guard signed off on the finalized settlement in September after he removed the attorney general's office as the designated recipient of the settlement funds because they involve Medicaid. Guard determined the funds should instead be managed by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates most of the state's Medicaid program and is funded by $34.6 billion in federal and state dollars. Guard, who previously prosecuted cases on behalf of the attorney general's Medicaid Loss Control Unit, also said the settlement was different from others involving Medicaid funding. 'Normally, the federal share is explicitly detailed in the settlement agreement, and I am not sure AHCA wants us to get the remainder of the money,' Guard wrote in a Sept. 13 email to Andrew Sheeran, the top legal advisor at AHCA. 'If it is just going to the Legislature and [general revenue], I can probably make it work, but I believe this is different than I have seen in a settlement with Medicaid monies.' When Jeremy Redfern, spokesperson for the attorney general's office, was asked if Guard would offer comment, he said the records spoke for themselves. Uthmeier, who only met with Centene about the settlement when he was chief of staff for Ron DeSantis, appears to have had minimal involvement based on the records. Uthmeier was appointed by DeSantis in February to replace former Attorney General Ashley Moody after she was appointed to the Senate. He is now gearing up for a race to keep his position in next year's elections. Meanwhile, Casey DeSantis has been considering a run for Florida governor and has yet to make a decision. The controversy and outrage among state lawmakers over Hope Florida's $10 million donation throughout this year's legislative session led them to strip funding for the program in this year's state budget. The state Senate also failed to confirm Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch and AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris due to concerns about the program. But most of the fury died down by the time Ron DeSantis signed this year's budget at the end of June.
