Latest news with #AG'sOffice
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sober Living Scheme: Arizona Attorney General addresses Medicaid fraud
The Brief Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sat down with FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum to talk about the state's Sober Living Crisis. The crisis, along with the scandal involving the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), could ultimately cost the state $2 billion. "This is going to take years to fix," AG Mayes said. PHOENIX - As fallout from the Sober Living Crisis and the scandal involving Arizona's Medicaid agency that ultimately cost the state $2 billion continues, Attorney General Kris Mayes sat down with us to talk about the situation. The backstory Attorney General Mayes sat down for the interview after nearly 20 people, a behavioral health provider and a church are accused of defrauding the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for $60 million. While AG Mayes could not get into specifics of the case, we know that, according to investigators, Happy House Behavioral Health and other defendants allegedly conspired by patient brokering and using sober living homes to take advantage of Medicaid members. The suspects are also accused of wiring millions of dollars to Hope of Life International Church and an entity in Rwanda, which is a country located in Africa. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. What they're saying Attorney Joshua Kolsrud, who represents Pastor Theodore Macuranyana, released a statement in connection with Macuranyana's indictment. Kolsrud's statement reads: "Kolsrud Law Offices condemns the Arizona Attorney General's Office for its unjust indictment of Pastor Theodore Macuranyana, a respected community leader with no criminal history, and his religious organization in a healthcare fraud investigation. This action exemplifies egregious prosecutorial overreach. The Attorney General's Office seeks to escape accountability for failing to detect an alleged fraud that triggered over $60 million in payouts within a year. Instead of addressing this regulatory failure, the prosecution pursues baseless charges against uninvolved parties to deflect blame. Criminal charges must be rooted in evidence, not politics. Targeting a church and its leadership without proof sets a dangerous precedent and erodes public trust in the justice system. The AG's Office unfortunately has a history of politically motivated prosecutions. Just yesterday, May 19, 2025, the Maricopa County Superior Court ruled that the AG's Office unfairly presented its so-called "Fake Electors" case to the grand jury and violated the defendants' constitutional rights. The judge ordered the case remanded back to the grand jury. Kolsrud Law Offices demands a transparent review of the facts, free from political motives." We've reached out to the attorneys for the rest of the defendants in this latest indictment, but have not heard back. Dig deeper As we have reported on since 2023, thousands of victims, mainly Native Americans, were not provided legitimate treatment services for substance abuse and mental health. Per AG Mayes, more than 120 individuals and entities have been charged in connection to the Sober Living Scheme, but only a small percentage of the estimated $2 billion has been recovered, as she says funds have been spent on assets like cars and homes, or wired offshore. Cases we are seeing prosecuted stem back to before 2023, when AHCCCS and the state's Attorney General's Office were led by another administration. "How much does this fall on checks and balances handled by our state agencies?" we asked AG Mayes. "This is about a government failure. That is something that we're working on right now, that AHCCCS is now working on," AG Mayes replied. "We continue to provide advice and some guidance to them about what we think they need to do to stop this fraud. This is going to take years to fix. It could take up to a decade to fix this. This is something that was allowed to fester for way too long, and far too many people were hurt by it." AG Mayes also confirmed that there are clear international ties to this scheme, as alleged in the money laundering charge involving Rwanda.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
York County doctor pressured patients into sex for treatment; AG
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A York County doctor was arrested Wednesday for allegedly pressuring female patients to partake in sex acts with him in exchange for treatment, the Attorney General's Office said. If the patients refused, then Christopher Davis, 63, would not provide treatment, or he would threaten to withhold medication, the Attorney General's Office said. Davis was a medical director at Pyramid Healthcare Treatment Center, a facility that 'offers comprehensive addiction treatment, including withdrawal management (ASAM Level 3.7) and short- and long-term residential care (ASAM Level 3.5) for both men and women aged 18 and older,' according to its website. Davis was the only person who was able to give his patients methadone, a drug that is used to treat opioid addiction, the AG's Office said. The alleged coercion took place from 2022-24, according to the DA's office. 'This doctor abused his role as a gatekeeper to necessary medications for vulnerable patients by manipulating, intimidating, and assaulting numerous patients between 2022 and 2024,' Attorney General Dave Sunday said. 'The patients relied on the defendant to provide compassionate care and treatment as they navigated a path to recovery, instead, he betrayed them time and time again. People seeking to better their lives through treatment should be celebrated and supported, not preyed upon and exploited.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Davis faces charges that include rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, sexual extortion. He is locked up at York County Prison with bail set at $1 million by Magisterial District Judge Barry L. Bloss Jr. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Maryland AG continues investigation into deadly police-involved shooting at National Harbor
The Brief The Maryland Attorney General's Office is continuing to investigate a deadly officer-involved shooting. It happened at National Harbor on Easter Sunday. The AG's Office says two officers opened fire on a knife-wielding man that allegedly was coming at them. Body-worn camera footage of the shooting is expected to be released in the coming weeks. PRINCE GEOREGE'S CO., Md. - The Maryland Attorney General's Office is launching an independent investigation just one day after an officer-involved shooting in Prince George's County. Police are looking into a stabbing and fire as part of the investigation. The backstory The Maryland AG says their independent investigations division is looking into every detail of what unfolded in National Harbor on the morning of Sunday, April 20. At 10 a.m., two officers opened fire on a knife-wielding man that allegedly was coming at them. But the incident started around 8:30 a.m. at a nearby apartment complex. Prince George's County police say there was some sort of domestic incident where the suspect stabbed a man and woman and then set the apartment they were in on fire. Police say it's unclear how they all knew each other. No injuries were reported but 14 people were displaced, including six children, because of that fire and then 90 minutes later, the county got several 911 calls. When they arrived, officers came into contact with the suspect, who was armed with a knife. READ MORE: What they're saying Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz says the suspect moved towards an officer, and that's when two officers opened fire. The suspect was struck an unknown number of times. "It's so unfortunate that it happened on a beautiful Easter Sunday and beautiful National Harbor and I don't want to speculate but I think it's important that we pay attention to mental health issues, families knowing what's going on with their loved ones, so that we can live in a peaceful no violent world without these incidents," Chief Aziz said. No officers were hurt, nor anyone at National Harbor. Chief Aziz did add that police have come into contact with this suspect before. He was shot and rushed to the hospital where he later died. Local perspective With this all taking place on a holiday weekend in broad daylight, many were left shaken. "We walk out here all the time. We're always alert when we're walking. Sometimes it's dark, sometimes it's light and it's disturbing to know the mental capacity of people," one Prince George's County woman said. "We have to be vigilant." Police have not identified who the suspect is, but do say he lives in the area. The AG's office will be analyzing body camera video, which should be released in the coming weeks.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Washington AG's Office launches new sexual assault reporting website
This story was originally published on In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (AG) has launched a website to help survivors of sexual assault. A news release from the AG's Office on Thursday explained the website, is a tool for survivors and community members to learn about what to do after a sexual assault, connect with local resources, and report sexual assaults to law enforcement. 'Our work to eliminate the backlog of sexual assault kits statewide means more evidence has been tested and more crimes have been solved,' AG Nick Brown said via the release. 'People who experience sexual assault are not alone in Washington. We are launching the Seek Then Speak website to make sure survivors of sexual assault can access local resources and reporting tools as they seek justice.' Special Assault Unit Supervisor at the Yakima Police Department, Sergeant Ryan Yates, added that the website is another outlet for survivors to report. 'There are many reasons that survivors may be afraid to disclose a sexual assault; Seek Then Speak offers an additional opportunity to learn about resources and report their experience to law enforcement,' Yates said. 'One size does not fit all; we need to offer new ways for survivors to reach out so that every person can report in a way that helps them feel safe.' According to the news release, the AG's Office has two criminal justice division units and one policy team dedicated to investigating sexual assaults. To learn more about each unit, visit the AG's Office's website.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cumberland County Deputy Sheriff charged after head-on crash hospitalized 71-year-old; AG
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Charges were filed against a Cumberland County Deputy Sheriff for allegedly causing a crash last year that left a 71-year-old man hospitalized for weeks, Attorney General Dave Sunday's Office said Monday. Ian Greene, 30, is accused of driving at a high rate of speed before the crash on Trindle Road in South Middleton Township on April 15, 2024, while he was on duty in a marked sheriff's vehicle, the AG's Office said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to the AG's Office, Greene's lights and sirens were on before he passed three vehicles while going up to 83mph. He was passing in the opposite lane, and when he got to the top of a hill, he allegedly hit another vehicle head-on. Just before the crash, Greene turned off his lights and sirens, according to the AG's Office. Trump: Suspect in fire at Shapiro's home 'probably just a whack job' The driver of the other vehicle had internal injuries from the crash and was at an inpatient medical facility for weeks. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Sunday said in a statement that Greene endangered other drivers and the people he swore to protect. 'Law enforcement officers have a duty to protect the communities they serve,' Sunday said. 'Meanwhile, this defendant's alleged actions caused a vehicle collision and serious injuries to a man, while endangering other drivers on the roadway, people he was sworn to protect,' Attorney General Sunday said.' Greene faces a felony charge of aggravated assault by vehicle and a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment, along with summary traffic violations. Greene surrendered Monday afternoon and was arraigned. He had his bail set at $50,000 unsecured. The Attorney General's Office was referred to handle the investigation by the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office because Greene was a county deputy sheriff. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
