An Indianapolis man is accused of using his healthcare business like a personal piggy bank to defraud Indiana Medicaid of more than $10.9 million.
Investigators say Alexander Byrnes, 39, used his authority as the operator of Senior Home Care Agency to approve fake caregiver hours for unused client hours billed to Medicaid.
On July 22, Attorney General Todd Rokita announced Byrnes and five other people were facing felony fraud charges in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicaid.
“It is important to remember that these people are stealing from taxpayers – from you,” Rokita said in a news release. “Committing fraud and stealing from taxpayers is bad enough, but it is especially egregious when it’s committed against our most vulnerable citizens.”
Attempts to hide ownership of the company
Byrnes’ prior criminal history, concluded investigators, made him ineligible to serve as a home health Medicaid provider after he entered a plea agreement in November 2022, which included a conviction for felony theft.
To circumvent regulators, Byrnes submitted documentation purporting Faith Casas, 26, as Senior Home Care’s company owner. Casas is being charged as a co-defendant in the scheme.
According to a probable cause affidavit for her arrest, Casas had no expertise in business or the medical profession.
As Byrnes filled out paperwork in May 2023 to incorporate Senior Home Care with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Casas provided him with her name, date of birth, social security number, and a text message reading, “yk i got you.”
Within two years, investigators said Byrnes was living a life of luxury.
According to a probable cause affidavit, he used his business accounts from August 2023 to July 2025 to travel to Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Scottsdale, San Francisco, Hollywood, San Jose, Monaco, Spain, Mexico and Japan.
Court documents show Byrnes’ other expenditures include:
Rokita announced those facing criminal charges connected to Senior Home Care Agency include:
Other people implicated in the scheme include, Nichole A. Hoyt, Cortez L. Crook, LaShawn N. Wright, and Jessica K. Schoof. Each are facing multiple counts of felony fraud.
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John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis man charged in $10M Medicaid scheme lived lavish lifestyle
Reporting by John Tufts, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Tufts, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
