Linden woman gets 10 years in prison for Medicaid fraud

A Linden woman was sentenced Friday to 10 years in federal prison for defrauding government health care programs of almost $1.9 million, authorities said.

Sandra Elliott, 47, pleaded guilty in January to aiding and abetting health care fraud. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to pay $1.88 million back to the government.

Elliott operated the Learning Links Education Centers in Dunn and Fayetteville, which provided psychological and speech therapy services for children.

Prosecutors said Elliott filed bills for therapy sessions that never happened, employed non-licensed personnel and provided unwarranted therapy.

Tricare, the military equivalent to Medicaid, lost $1.17 million in the scheme, while Medicaid lost $712, 548, authorities said.

Federal agents seized more than $345,000 in assets to help repay the government, including a 2008 Fleetwood Terra recreational vehicle, a 2009 Lexus GX470, a 2008 Chrysler 300 and cash from various bank accounts.