Press Releases
05/29/2024
Three Arrested in Scheme to Defraud Medicaid in Stamford
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Rocky Hill, CT) – A married couple and their former co-worker were arrested today for defrauding Medicaid by billing the government health insurance program for services that were not rendered and for services that were provided by unlicensed individuals.
Alejandra Hochstedler Stipo, age 63, Shelton Hochstedler, age 68, both of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Elizabeth Aliaga, age 46, of Stamford, were arrested by Inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and charged with one count each of Health Insurance Fraud, in violation of Connecticut General Statute § 53-442, with Hochstedler Stipo receiving an additional charge of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community in violation of Connecticut General Statute § 53a-122(a)(3).
Alejandra Hochstedler Stipo, owner of Stamford Clinical Services (SCS), has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and had been enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CMAP) as a billing provider since 2015. She was authorized to operate as a Behavioral Health Clinician and permitted to seek reimbursement only for services that she or any other licensed and CMAP enrolled clinician performed. SCS being registered with CMAP as an “independent practice”, requires SCS to supervise any employed unlicensed therapist and/or intern working with patients. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health care benefits for certain groups of persons, including the indigent, disabled and the elderly.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, between 2019 and 2023, all three defendants participated in a scheme to defraud the program. An investigation showed the co-defendant Aliaga, along with other unlicensed individuals under Hochstedler Stipo’s employment, would meet with Medicaid clients and perform behavioral health services, despite not being licensed and supervised, and therefore qualified. The investigation also revealed that claims were submitted for services that were not rendered at all. Hochstedler Stipo’s husband, Shelton Hochstedler, would operate as a biller and submit claims for payment. During the investigation, the co-defendants fabricated and back-dated medical records to give the appearance that services were, in fact, provided and supervised. Hochstedler Stipo received $220,792.31 in fraudulent funds from the Department of Social Services for the fraudulent billings which contained false, deceptive and/or misleading information.
The money profited in the amount of $220,792.31 constitutes the crime of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community. The submission of claims to the Department of Social Services contained false, deceptive or misleading information which constitutes Health Insurance Fraud.
Alejandra Hochstedler was released on $250,000.00 non-surety bond, Shelton Hochstedler was released on $250,000.00 non-surety bond, and Elizabeth Aliaga was released on $250,000.00 non-surety bond. All three are scheduled to appear for their arraignments in Stamford Superior Court, Geographical Area No. 2, on June 5, 2024. The charges are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Health Insurance Fraud and Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community are each classified as a B Felony and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The case was investigated and will be prosecuted by the Connecticut Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The Unit is grateful for the assistance it received from the Connecticut Department of Social Services - Office of Quality Assurance and the Stamford Police Department.
The Connecticut Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,988,308 for the fiscal year of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $996,099 for the same fiscal year, is funded by the State of Connecticut.
Anyone with knowledge of suspected fraud or abuse in the public healthcare system is asked to contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office at (860) 258-5986.