FRANKFORT, KY (April 3, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today that actions by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Control Unit resulted in a jury conviction of a Lexington man for fraud and theft.
A Franklin County jury found Marcus S. Minix, Sr., 73, of Lexington, KY guilty of:
- One count of Theft by Unlawful Taking (Class D Felony)
- One count of Devising or Engaging in a Scheme to Defraud the Kentucky Medical Assistance Program (Class D Felony)
Minix owned and operated an eye care center in Floyd and Johnson counties, where he submitted false billings for services that were never provided. Over a dozen victimized patients could not receive proper eye care because of his criminal activity. Several of his victims were children, including one of whom was legally blind in one eye and had delays getting glasses.
“The defendant did more than defraud the Medicaid program. He cheated Kentucky families and children out of critical medical care just to make a quick buck,” said Attorney General Coleman (right). “These are serious crimes, and our team will continue to investigate and prosecute them so we can protect Kentucky families.”
The case was investigated by Detective Tim Dials and auditor Michael Ward with the Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. Deputy Director David Startsman as well as Assistant Attorneys General Linsey Hogg and Zach Ousley prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $6,650,000 for the federal fiscal year (FY) 2024. 25 percent of that grant, totaling $1,662,500 for FY 2024, is funded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
To file a Medicaid fraud or abuse complaint, call the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).
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