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Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentencing of Tyrone Williams, and his wife, Rosemary Williams, both of Little Rock, on November 13, 2008 by United States District Judge James M. Moody. The Williams were sentenced for charges arising from a healthcare fraud scheme involving a company named National Degree Program (NDP).

Tyrone Williams was the founder of NDP, which he promoted as an organization that provided social, educational, and medical services to Medicaid-eligible individuals. Williams obtained a Medicaid Group Provider Number for NDP, under which he sought and obtained fraudulent reimbursement from the Arkansas Medicaid Program during February to May of 2006. Williams submitted numerous claims for "targeted case management" (TCM) services purportedly rendered by NDP. The purpose of TCM services is to assist Medicaid recipients in accessing medical, social, and other support services appropriate to the recipient's needs. Under Medicaid reimbursement criteria, it is only the coordination of TCM services for which reimbursement may be sought, not the actual provision of services or treatment.

Williams billed for services not covered by TCM, including: taking clients on errands, paying their utility bills, and tutoring certain clients in preparation for the GED exam. Additionally, he inflated the time spent with Medicaid recipients and billed for time expended by non-certified aides, all in violation of the Medicaid reimbursement guidelines.

Tyrone Williams, who has a previous conviction for defrauding the Federal government, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release. He was ordered to make restitution to the Arkansas Medicaid Program Trust Fund in the amount of $49,117.25. Williams' previous conviction resulted from a tax fraud scheme in which he participated in 2001 and 2002. On Williams' previous conviction he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and placed on three years supervised release. The instant healthcare fraud was committed by Williams while he was still on supervised release from the earlier charge.

Rosemary Williams admitted her knowledge of the scheme to commit health care fraud by her husband. As a result of her failure to report it to the authorities, she was charged with and pled guilty to misprison of a felony. She was sentenced to a term of three years probation.

In sentencing Tyrone Williams, Judge Moody noted the need to send a message to those who repeatedly defraud the government for their own personal benefit. Duke stated, "I couldn't agree more with Judge Moody's reasoning in rendering this sentence. Deterring others from committing future fraud is the best way to preserve benefits and resources for those who truly need it. It is also the best way to ensure our tax dollars are put to appropriate use.

     The case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Hoey.

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