New Haven Man, 48, Charged In Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Faces Up To 20 Years: Chief State's Attorney

NEW HAVEN, CT —A New Haven man who worked as an individual day support provider for people with disabilities was arrested and charged with billing Medicaid for personal care services he did not provide, according to the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

Gordon Skinner, 48, of New Haven, was arrested Sept. 9 by Medicaid Fraud Control Unit inspectors and charged with one count of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community and one count of health insurance fraud, Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin noted in a news release.

The state Department of Developmental Services Self-Directed Program is a Medicaid-funded program that provides people with disabilities with funds to hire support staff to assist them with daily self-care activities which enables them to reside in their homes and remain in the community, it was explained. The program is a partially reimbursed service of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The government funds awarded for this program are distributed by the state Department of Social Services through a fiscal intermediary.

An investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit found that between May 2024 and December 2024, Skinner, who was employed as a private hire individual day support provider, submitted time sheets and was paid for services he did not provide to a particular client, according to Griffin.

"The parents of the client became aware of Skinner fraudulently billing for services that were not provided to their child and reported it to the DDS," he said.

By comparing payroll data, it was determined that Skinner was paid for over 200 hours for services never provided, Griffin said, adding the investigation revealed Skinner billed for 208 hours not rendered, totaling $5,584.70. The Chief State's Attorney said that the "money profited by him in the amount of $5,584.70," constitutes the crime of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, and the submissions of the claims to DSS "contained false, incomplete, deceptive or misleading information," which constitutes the crime of Health Insurance Fraud.

The larceny charge, a Class B felony, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, Griffin said.

Skinner is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on Thursday. Griffin noted that the "charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."