Sentence Rendered In Middletown-Meriden Medicaid Fraud Case

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin Tuesday announced that Judge Tracy Lee Dayton on Feb. 11 sentenced 66-year-old Darlene Shuff-Porter, also known as Darlene Dailey, of Middletown, to three years in prison, execution of that time suspended, with five years of conditional discharge for defrauding Medicaid by submitting fraudulent claims for work she did not perform and allowing unlicensed individuals to provide behavioral health services.

Shuff-Porter pleaded guilty in New Haven Superior Court on October 20, 2025 to one count each of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community, a Class B felony, and health insurance fraud, also a Class B felony.

She was ordered not to be a Medicaid provider during the period of her five-year conditional discharge.

Shuff-Porter paid $55,410.69 in restitution on the day of sentencing.

Said Griffin, "By pleading guilty to two program-related felonies, the defendant is also subject to mandatory exclusion as a health care provider to certain federally funded health programs pursuant to federal and state laws and regulations."

An investigation by Inspectors of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney determined that between Dec. 2018 and April 2020, Shuff-Porter, a licensed behavioral health clinician, and owner of Dailey Professional Counseling Services in Meriden, billed for psychotherapy services that were not rendered, according to case records.

Evidence acquired through an investigation showed that Dailey Professional Counseling Services, LLC was not meeting with clients as reported; however, she was submitting claims to the Department of Social Services for payment. Griffin said. In addition, she was utilizing unlicensed employees to meet with clients and then billing as if licensed qualified services were provided. Griffin said.

The investigation concluded Shuff-Porter fraudulently billed Medicaid and received an amount of $55,410.69 in Medicaid payments she was not entitled to receive, according to case records.