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The arrests come at the conclusion of two separate investigations into the same scam involving Tina Gabel, 58, and Sean Gabel, 23, of Poughkeepsie, and Enny Portillo, 58, of Highland Mills, Schneiderman said.
“Medicaid programs are put in place to help those who need them most,” said Schneiderman. “We will continue to aggressively pursue all individuals who steal from Medicaid to enrich themselves.”
Tina Gabel and Sean Gabel, who is Tina Gabel’s son, were arraigned Wednesday in Dutchess County on felony charges of grand larceny, offering a false instrument for filing and falsifying business records.
Portillo was arraigned on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the Town of Woodbury Justice Court with the same charges.
According to Schneiderman, the Gabels submitted false time sheets to AccentCare of New York, Inc., a fiscal intermediary for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which claimed that Sean Gabel provided personal assistant services to two of their relatives in Dutchess County, between October 2011 and February 2015 when he was out of town.
Tina Gabel, who was responsible for submitting and verifying the accuracy of their time sheets, filed false time sheets in her son's name, causing Medicaid to pay AccentCare over $50,000 for hours he did not work, Schneiderman said.
In addition, Tina Gabel was also charged with conspiring with another aide to submit false time sheets to Taconic Innovations, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, claiming the personal aide had provided services to one of Gabel’s relatives. Medicaid allegedly paid Taconic Innovations, Inc. over $50,000 for hours the aide did not work.
Portillo verified false time sheets to Priority Home Care Services, Inc., claiming her daughter provided services to a Medicaid recipient while she was also out of the country. Medicaid allegedly paid Priority over $50,000 for hours her daughter did not work.
All three defendants were released on their own recognizance.
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