Guthrie business and director charged with Medicaid Fraud

Several employees of a Guthrie Medicaid counseling services provider, including a Guthrie native, face fraud-related charges in an alleged scheme to bill for sessions without providing services.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit filed the charges  in Oklahoma County District Court against employees of Pure Hope Corporation for their alleged involvement.

According to court papers, Pure Hope Corporation, once located at 2403 S. Division, was contracted with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to provide counseling services for Medicaid recipients.

Bobby Harlan Long, 26, of Guthrie, a licensed professional counselor and the executive director and owner of Pure Hope, was arrested last week and is being charged with four counts of Medicaid Fraud.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 19 at 9 a.m.

Court papers go on to show in July 2011, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was investigating another counseling agency when it was learned Pure Hope was billing OHCA for services not being provided for new clients.

According to the charges, Long billed the OHCA $22,318 for services provided between June and October.

Long, a 2004 Guthrie High School graduate, was responsible for any billing submitted to the OHCA, court documents show. When the agency made payments to Pure Hope, the funds were directly deposited into an account that Long appeared to have managed.

Interviews with investigators show Pure Hope clients and the parents or guardians of underage clients confirmed when services were provided and identified dates when no counseling occurred.

Pure Hope closed in October and is no longer in business.

Others arrested

Stephanie Renee Brown, 33, of Edmond, the clinical director for Pure Hope, is charged with one count of Medicaid Fraud. Brown surrendered to authorities.

Christopher Lawrence Lester, 32, of Oklahoma City, the branch manager for Pure Hope, was arrested and charged with one count of Medicaid Fraud.

Megan La’Shawn Goodwin, 26, of Oklahoma City, a behavioral health rehabilitation specialist, is being charged with one count of Medicaid Fraud. Goodwin turned herself into authorities.

Melissa Nana Van Kirk, 45, of Stillwater,a clinical psychologist and licensed behavioral practitioner was arrested and charged with one count of Medicaid Fraud.