Milwaukee woman sentenced for Medicaid theft

MADISON (WITI) -- A Milwaukee woman has been convicted and sentenced for theft from the Wisconsin Medicaid program.

Kawana Hickman appeared in Dane County Circuit Court on Monday, April 29th and entered pleas of guilty, and was convicted of three counts of theft.  Judge Stephen Ehlke ordered a withheld sentence and placed Hickman on two years probation.  Hickman paid full restitution in the amount of $5,830 prior to the plea and sentence.

According to the criminal complaint, Hickman was a licensed practical nurse providing in-home care for a patient with serious health problems.  As part of her treatment, the patient traveled to the Mayo Clinic several times a year.  Although Hickman did not accompany the patient on these trips, she did submit claims for payment as though she had provided cares on those dates the patient was out of town.

The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Katie Wilson.