She Trusted Them for Birth Control — They Gave Her a Drug From an Unlicensed Dealer: Nonprofit Pays $750K After Administering Misbranded Nexplanon to Low-Income Patients
A Northern California nonprofit health provider has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle allegations that it submitted false Medicaid claims related to the use of misbranded contraceptive drugs, federal authorities said.
Salud Para La Gente, which operates primary care clinics serving low-income communities in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, reached the settlement under the False Claims Act. The agreement resolves allegations and does not include an admission of liability.
According to federal officials, the organization purchased a contraceptive implant, commonly known as Nexplanon, from an unlicensed wholesaler and administered it to Medicaid patients between May 2017 and September 2020. Nexplanon is a small implant placed under the skin of the upper arm to prevent pregnancy.
“Patient safety must be at the forefront of medical decision-making,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “Using misbranded drugs jeopardizes public health and constitutes a serious False Claims Act violation. We will continue to hold violators accountable.”
Authorities allege that the products used during that period were misbranded and that Salud submitted reimbursement claims using incorrect drug identification codes. These codes are intended to accurately identify medications for billing and patient safety purposes. The inaccurate coding and misbranded drugs led to improper claims submitted to Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals.
Federal officials emphasized that the case raises concerns about both billing practices and patient safety, particularly when medications are obtained from unauthorized sources.
The settlement resolves the government’s allegations, which have not been proven in court.
Stolen Identity, Stolen Care: Dominican National Living in Boston Used Dead U.S. Citizen’s Name to Get $80K in Medicaid — While Also Facing Prior Heroin Trafficking Conviction Under Same Fake Identity
A Dominican national living in Boston has been charged with healthcare fraud and identity theft after allegedly using a stolen identity to obtain more than $80,000 in public health benefits, federal prosecutors said.
Manuel Antonio Baez, 52, of Dorchester, faces charges including false representation of a Social Security number, making false statements related to healthcare benefits, and aggravated identity theft. He was arrested and charged in federal court in Massachusetts.
According to prosecutors, Baez is accused of using the identity of a U.S. citizen, including a valid Social Security number, to apply for and receive benefits through MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program. Authorities allege he falsely claimed U.S. citizenship in official applications and submitted sworn statements supporting that claim.
Investigators also allege that Baez used the same stolen identity in prior criminal cases. Court documents state that under the assumed identity, he was convicted in 2018 of heroin trafficking and previously, in 2007, of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
If convicted, Baez faces up to five years in prison on each of the fraud-related charges, as well as a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. He could also face fines and supervised release and may be subject to deportation following any sentence.
The charges are allegations, and Baez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Betrayed Behind Closed Doors: Caregiver Charged With Exploiting Helpless Residents at Assisted Living Facility — Allegedly Stole Their Identities, Ransacked Their Finances, and Violated a Showering Patient’s Privacy
A South Carolina caregiver is facing additional criminal charges after investigators alleged she exploited multiple vulnerable adults under her care at an assisted living facility in Greenville County.
Latisha Alexandria Massey, 38, of Greer, was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on May 6, 2026, according to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The new charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the state’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, along with the Greenville Police Department.
Massey had previously been indicted in June 2025 on a range of charges tied to her former role as a caregiver at TerraBella Summit, an assisted living facility in Greenville. Those earlier charges included money laundering, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, financial transaction card fraud, and breach of trust.
The latest charges include four counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, three counts of financial identity fraud, and one count of voyeurism-related conduct.
Investigators allege that between August 2024 and January 2025, Massey unlawfully used the personal and financial information of at least three residents in her care. Authorities say she obtained items such as driver’s licenses and financial cards to access and use victims’ funds without authorization.
In addition, investigators allege Massey violated a resident’s privacy by taking a nude photograph of the individual while they were showering at the facility.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that Massey is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Read State of South Carolina v. Latisha Alexandria Massey – Indictment.
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