Magnolia Woman Admits to Nearly $500K Medicaid Fraud Scheme
HOUSTON, TEXAS – A Houston woman has pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting she defrauded Medicaid of hundreds of thousands of dollars through a sham mental‑health services operation, according to the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division.
Tekiyah McLeod, 34, served as the registered agent for nLove Community Services LLC, a business that claimed to provide mental‑health therapy to Medicaid beneficiaries. Federal investigators say McLeod instead used the company to submit $477,872 in false claims for therapy sessions that never occurred, including sessions she claimed were provided to herself.
McLeod also admitted using a nurse practitioner’s name and National Provider Identifier to file fraudulent claims without the practitioner’s knowledge or consent. As a result of the scheme, she received $453,323 in Medicaid funds.
U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz condemned the conduct, saying:
“Another day, another Medicaid fraudster brought to justice. Why are medical expenses so out of control in this country? In large part because of scammers like Tekiyah. Her conduct is despicable, and I trust she’ll have time to dwell on that while in prison for ripping off the American taxpayer.”
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted McLeod’s guilty plea. Sentencing is set for Dec. 16, when she faces:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison for health care fraud
- A mandatory consecutive two‑year term for aggravated identity theft
- A potential $250,000 fine
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum is prosecuting.
Tekiyah McLeod remains out on bond pending sentencing.
