A former office manager at a Montgomery County home care agency has been sentenced to prison for her involvement in a significant Medicaid fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of nearly $1.76 million from a program intended to assist vulnerable residents in Pennsylvania. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Barbara Thomas, 46, of ComfortZone Home Health Care, received a prison sentence of 9 to 23 months this week in Montgomery County Court. She will also serve four years of probation following her guilty plea to felony counts of Medicaid fraud, theft by deception, and corrupt organizations.
As part of her sentencing, Thomas was ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution, jointly and severally with her co-defendants, to recover losses linked to the fraudulent activities. Investigators revealed that Thomas held dual roles as both office manager and case manager for ComfortZone from 2020 to 2023. During this time, the agency repeatedly submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for personal care services that were never actually provided. Authorities noted her significant involvement in the agency’s daily operations, which facilitated the advancement of fraudulent billing practices that led to millions in improper payments.
Details of the Scheme and Legal Actions
Attorney General Sunday commented on the gravity of the situation, stating, “This defendant had her hands in the day-to-day operations and was integrally involved in the advancement of a multi-year scheme that stole from taxpayers and defrauded a system designed to help vulnerable Pennsylvanians.” He emphasized the strength of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section, which is recognized nationally for its efforts to combat fraud and abuse within the system.
The Medicaid fraud investigation was a collaborative effort lasting two years, involving both the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section and the FBI, and was supported by a presentment from the Fiftieth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. The fraudulent scheme was allegedly orchestrated by ComfortZone owner Stephanie Mobley, whose company was an authorized Medicaid provider for personal assistance services. Mobley and 20 other alleged co-conspirators have been charged with submitting false claims for care that was never delivered.
To date, 18 individuals associated with the conspiracy have pleaded guilty, including Mobley, who is currently awaiting sentencing. Legal proceedings against three remaining defendants are still ongoing. The prosecutions are being overseen by Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna, who is focused on ensuring accountability in this extensive case.
Under the law, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The rigorous legal actions taken by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General highlight the commitment to uphold the integrity of programs meant to support the state’s most vulnerable populations.
