Bridgeport Woman Pleads Guilty To Medicaid Fraud

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A woman accused of defrauding the state through identity theft of Medicaid patients.

Nikkita Chesney, 45, of Bridgeport pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. She admitted to stealing the identity information of 150 Medicaid clients from her employer and using about half that information to file false billings to Medicaid, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut. She said her co-conspirators also falsely billed Medicaid.

She faces up to 10 years for health care fraud and a mandatory two year sentence for aggravated identity theft. She also agreed to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution.

Her co-conspirator Juliet Jacob was ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution and she faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced. Five other individuals have been charged and convicted of fraud offenses as part of the investigation.

Image via CT State Police