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Mother accused of defrauding Medicaid
By KELLEY BENHAM, Times Staff Writer
TARPON SPRINGS -- Guadalupe Cherta has a disabled son with so many expenses she told the government she needed help to support him. She didn't say she had $800,000 in cash, a lucrative medical equipment company and a $439,000 home. After receiving more than $47,000 in free medical services and equipment through Medicaid in 21/2 years, Cherta was arrested Tuesday and charged with Medicaid fraud. "It's unbelievable," said Patrick Niemann, deputy bureau chief of the attorney general's Medicaid fraud control unit in Tampa. "Medicaid is for the indigent," he said. "It's not for people like this, not at all." Cherta, 46, of 3886 Crescent Cove Place, was arrested aboard a cruise ship at the Key West Hilton Resort and Marina. Cherta owned Med-A-Bility Inc. in New Port Richey with her husband, Salvador Cherta. They live near the Crescent Oaks Country Club in East Lake in a 4,160-square-foot lakefront home with a fireplace, pool and spa, according to property tax records. Based on comparable sales, the Pinellas County property appraiser estimates the home's sales value at $439,100. "They were doing quite well," Niemann said. Tax records indicate the house is owned by Michael Cherta, in care of Salvador Cherta. That's the same name as Guadalupe Cherta's teenage son, who suffers from cerebral palsy. Medicaid provided wheelchairs, a safety medical alert system and other equipment for Michael, Niemann said. His biggest expense was the salary of caseworkers and therapists who helped him at his home. Medicaid also paid Med-A-Bility more than $500,000 from May 2001 to May 2002. What happened to that money, Niemann can't say. "We just don't know," he said. The company provided equipment to clients other than Cherta's son, he said. He would not say whether the Attorney General's Office is investigating the validity of those other claims. Guadalupe Cherta did not tell the Florida Department of Children and Families she was a Medicaid provider when she applied for benefits for her son, the Attorney General's Office said. The Chertas sold the company during the attorney general's investigation and are no longer Medicaid providers. Guadalupe Cherta was with her husband and son on the cruise ship when she was arrested, Niemann said. Her husband was not charged because Guadalupe Cherta is the one who signed the application forms with DCF, and she was the account holder for the assets. "She was the one responsible," Niemann said. Cherta was released from the Monroe County jail Tuesday night after posting $50,000 bail. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. -- Kelley Benham can be reached at (727) 445-4182 or benham@sptimes.com .
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
