CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A senior social worker for the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services has been charged with receiving illegal kickbacks.
Investigators say 43-year-old Ryce Hatchett Jr. received at least $12,000 in illegal kickbacks from Ronnie Robinson, the owner of Peaceful Alternative Resources, Inc. (a non-profit mental health and mentoring service provider).
Hatchett is accused of giving Robinson referrals of individuals enrolled in the Medicaid program. Some of the referrals were actual DSS clients.
Court records show Robinson used the beneficiaries’ information to file fraudulent reimbursement claims with Medicaid for services that were either not approved by Medicaid or were never provided.
Hatchett faces a maximum term of five years in prison and $250,000 fine. In a plea agreement, Hatchett has agreed to pay full restitution to Medicaid for any losses resulting from his criminal conduct. His sentencing hearing has not been scheduled at this time.
Robinson pleaded guilty in January to two counts of health care fraud and is currently awaiting sentencing.
