AHCCCS ultimately paid more than $12 million to the couple for services prosecutors said were fraudulent.
PHOENIX — A couple who defrauded Arizona’s Medicaid agency for $12 million bought properties and luxury vehicles with the money, which was meant to be used for low-income health care, according to federal prosecutors.
Thvoughn Lynden Curry, 34, and Alexis Daneen Curry, 34, both of New River, Arizona, were recently convicted of the scheme in federal court.
“Medicaid provides an essential service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory. “For these fraudsters to exploit this system and steal millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars is unconscionable. This guilty verdict marks a significant step toward justice for those victimized by the Currys and serves as a reminder that IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are experts at following the money.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that Alexis Curry and Thvoughn Curry operated 1 Family Clinic LLC, an outpatient behavioral health clinic in Mesa, and fraudulently obtained approval to participate in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS.
Prosecutors said the Currys submitted a false provider application that listed Alexis Curry as the clinic’s sole owner and managing employee. The application failed to disclose that Thvoughn Curry was also an owner and managing employee while he had an active warrant for felony fraud charges.
After being approved as an AHCCCS provider, the couple carried out a billing scheme between about Feb. 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023, authorities said.
During that time, the clinic billed AHCCCS in what prosecutors described as a “uniform, nearly identical pattern” for services that were not actually performed. Records showed the clinic billed an average of more than 12 hours of services per member per day, even though the clinic operated eight hours on weekdays, five hours on Saturdays and was closed on Sundays.
AHCCCS ultimately paid more than $12 million to the clinic for services prosecutors said were fraudulent.
Prosecutors said much of the money was spent on personal expenses, including real estate and luxury vehicles. Purchases included a 2019 Lamborghini Urus valued at more than $300,000.
Both defendants were convicted of one count of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, three counts of Health Care Fraud, and eight counts of Transactional Money Laundering.
Sentencing is set for May 4.
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