Paula McNeal – also known as Paula Walker and Paula Quigley – pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lubbock federal court to one count of Health Care Fraud.
According to court records, McNeal worked for New Hope Christian Counseling of Lubbock.
McNeal admitted that she submitted “false and fraudulent” bills to the Texas Medicaid program for services New Hope Christian Counseling never performed. Then, according to court records, she misappropriated $104,088.45 from New Hope Christian Counseling.
McNeal admitted that as part of her scheme she opened a bank account under the name New Hope Counseling which turned out to be a fictional company.
The scheme started in December of 2010 and continued through August of 2013 according to court records. Other employees of New Hope Christian Counseling were not accused of wrongdoing – only McNeal.
Dr. Mark White Ph.D., the Executive Director of New Hope Christian Counseling (and a licensed therapist) said, “The investigator with the Texas Attorney General never conveyed to me or other licensed professionals that we were being investigated. We were the victims of fraud.”
McNeal was allowed to remain free until her sentencing. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
