A Milwaukee prenatal care coordinator has been convicted of multiple federal crimes involving healthcare fraud and identity theft. Local business owner Precious Cruse, who operated the now-defunct company Caring Through Love, was found guilty on 17 charges, including Healthcare Fraud, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Money Laundering after a federal jury trial concluded last Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin reported earlier this week.
The trial illuminated how Cruse exploited the trust of vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers. She did so by enticing them with baby items like car seats and diapers to join her company’s prenatal care coordination program. However, instead of providing the promised care, Cruse used the women’s personal details to falsify claims to Medicaid. The services, as stated by the prosecution, were largely never rendered. A statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office outlined that participants sometimes received nothing at all beyond occasional deliveries of diapers and wipes.
The extent of the scheme’s earnings was also a point of focus, with evidence showing Cruse funneled the illicit gains into a lavish lifestyle. The prosecution reported that these proceeds were spent on luxury travel and designer fashion, including an $18,000 custom diamond necklace and bracelet set apparently for her toddler, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office…