The founder and operator of a Gwinnett County nonprofit pleaded guilty Wednesday to being involved in scamming disabled adults out of money they were entitled to through the Georgia Medicaid program, authorities said.
Jennifer Lynn Robinette, the founder of Wishes 4 Me Foundation, Inc., pleaded guilty to a count of Medicaid fraud, exploitation of a disabled adult and two counts of first-degree forgery, the Georgia Attorney General’s Office told AJC.com.
She was accused of defrauding the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP), which is a Georgia Medicaid program intended to help disabled adults live more independently in their own homes, AJC.com previously reported.
She was sentenced to six months of house arrest with an electric ankle monitor, followed by 9½ years of probation.
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Robinette, 55, wrongfully used the Georgia Medicaid program to fund the nonprofit, which claimed to provide "structured living for adults with disabilities" and help "disabled adults live a more active lifestyle," according to its website.
However, she assumed control of her residents’ participation in the program, forging their names on documents submitted to the Department of Community Health, the AG’s Office said. That led to a raid on the residents’ homes and facilities last month.
MORE: 'Lots of confusion': Gwinnett nonprofit raid scared, befuddled disabled adults
Credit: Mariann Marksberry
Credit: Mariann Marksberry
While managing the nonprofit, she convinced residents to open joint bank accounts with her, which she used to transfer funds without their knowledge or permission, the AG’s office said. In total, she pleaded guilty to facilitating the payment of more than $800,000 to herself and others, $150,000 of which was deposited into her own bank accounts.
In addition to her 10-year sentence, she also was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the Georgia Medicaid program and $2,500 to a former resident of Wishes 4 Me.
She’s also “prohibited from directly, or indirectly through Wishes 4 Me or any other entity or individual, serving as a fiduciary for any disabled adult or elder person in any capacity,” the AG’s office said. She’s also excluded from participating or associating with the Georgia Medicaid program.
Three other women, Tonya Joy Ward, 62, Bethany Braga, 41, and Ronnika Barton, 42, also face charges in connection with the alleged scheme. Their cases are still pending.
Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office
In December, the nonprofit was the center of a national story when a 22-year-old Johns Creek man with autism died after falling overboard on a Carnival cruise ship, AJC.com previously reported. Luke Renner was traveling in a group of nine, which included three Wishes 4 Me chaperones.
MORE: 'It's so sad': Johns Creek man with autism fell overboard on Carnival cruise
The investigation into this incident was conducted by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division and the Gwinnett County Police Department.
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