A former office manager has been sentenced to prison for her involvement in a significant Medicaid fraud scheme that defrauded the system of nearly $1.76 million. Barbara Thomas, 46, of ComfortZone Home Health Care, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to serve between 9 to 23 months in state prison, followed by four years of probation. She pleaded guilty to felony charges of Medicaid fraud, theft by deception, and corrupt organizations.
In addition to her prison term, Thomas has been ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution, jointly with her co-defendants. This amount is intended to help recover losses incurred due to the fraudulent activities. Investigators revealed that Thomas held dual roles as both office manager and case manager at ComfortZone from 2020 to 2023. During this time, the agency submitted numerous claims to Medicaid for personal care services that were never rendered.
Authorities highlighted Thomas’s central role in the daily operations of the agency. Her actions significantly contributed to the advancement of fraudulent billing practices. Attorney General Dave Sunday noted, “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.”
The investigation into the scheme was a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section and the FBI. It was supported by findings from the Fiftieth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. Prosecutors indicated that the fraud was orchestrated by ComfortZone owner Stephanie Mobley, whose company was an approved Medicaid provider authorized to deliver personal assistance services.
Mobley and 20 other alleged co-conspirators faced charges for submitting false claims for care that was never provided. To date, 18 individuals involved in the conspiracy have pleaded guilty, including Mobley, who is currently awaiting sentencing. The cases against three remaining defendants are still pending. Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna is overseeing the prosecutions.
Under legal statutes, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case underscores ongoing efforts to combat fraud within the Medicaid system, aiming to protect resources intended for the most vulnerable populations in Pennsylvania and beyond.
