Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on May 8 that his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit made two arrests related to improper billing of Medicaid services.
The announcement is significant because it highlights ongoing efforts to protect the state’s Medicaid program from fraudulent claims, which can divert resources away from vulnerable residents who depend on these services. The Attorney General’s office serves the entire state of Arkansas with legal and protective services, according to the official website.
According to Griffin, “On April 30, Porcha Birdo, 35, of West Memphis, was arrested on a charge of Medicaid Fraud, a Class B felony. While employed as a personal care aide, Birdo submitted claims for personal care services. These claims indicated that the services were provided to her child. However, services provided to a caregiver’s own children are not eligible for reimbursement under the Medicaid Personal Care Program. As a result of these improper claims, Medicaid was billed $18,693.12.” He also said: “On April 30, Armanda Richardson, 50, of Pine Bluff, was arrested on a charge of Medicaid Fraud, a Class B felony. While working as a direct service professional, Richardson submitted claims to Medicaid for supportive living care services. These claims indicated that the services were provided to her foster child. However, the billed service hours overlapped with hours she was working at a separate full-time position. As a result of these improper claims, Medicaid was billed $16,401.”
Griffin said: “When individuals attempt to bill Medicaid for services involving their own children, they undermine a system designed to serve vulnerable Arkansans. These bad actors will be investigated and prosecuted. I commend the exceptional work done on these cases by MFCU’s Special Agent Marcus Custer and Special Agent Brandon Muldrow. I am also grateful for the assistance of Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones in these cases.”
The Arkansas Attorney General’s office operates in the legal and public safety sector and provides resources such as fraud reporting tools and community education programs through its initiatives addressing public integrity across Arkansas communities; it also offers consumer protection and supports both civil and criminal matters according to the official website.
Funding for Arkansas’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit comes primarily from federal sources—75% is funded by grants from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services totaling $4.78 million—with state revenue making up the remaining quarter.
Tim Griffin has served as Attorney General since January 2023 after previously holding positions including Lieutenant Governor and U.S Representative; he continues his service in both military legal roles and various governmental assignments according to information available from his office.
