Woman sentenced for fraud

A Woodbridge woman has been sentenced to three years and four months in federal prison for defrauding the Virginia Medicaid program of more than $3.7 million.

Annette Fleming-McClatchey, 47, owner and president of Medco, a medical supply store in Woodbridge, pleaded guilty to the charge in August and was sentenced Friday at U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

She was also sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay more than $3.7 million in restitution.

According to federal court documents, Fleming-McClatchey filed dozens of false Medicaid claims during a four-year period beginning in September 2003.

She billed Medicaid for medical supplies that were either never provided to patients or not medically necessary, the court documents state.

During the FBI investigation, 33 out of 43 Medicaid patients interviewed reported that they received fewer medical supplies than what Fleming-McClatchey reported to Medicaid.

Some patients reported that they never received the medical supplies at all, according to court documents.

Fleming-McClatchey's company, Medco, was also known at various times as Medical Company, Professional Medical Supplies, Professional Medical Supplies and Equipment, Professional Home Care & Associates and Professional Healthcare, prosecutors said.

In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, Fleming-McClatchey apologized and said she accepts full responsibility for her actions.

She said she began the fraud scheme at a time in her life when she needed money to help care for her three sons, one of whom is disabled.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.