Counselor Catherine Reardon arrested on Medicaid fraud charge

June 25, 2013

A licensed Marriage and Family Counselor was arrested today for allegedly submitting dozens of false claims for payment to the state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid is a federal system of health insurance for those requiring financial assistance that is subsidized by federal and state funds.

CATHERINE A. REARDON, age 49, of Crescent Street, Groton, is accused of defrauding Medicaid of more than $3,500 by submitting 72 claims for counseling services that were not provided to seven current or former clients.

Ms. Reardon was arrested by Inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney and charged with First Degree Larceny by Defrauding a Public Community, a class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and Third Degree Identity Theft and Insurance Fraud, both class D felonies each punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, between 2011 and 2012 Ms. Reardon billed Medicaid for counseling supposedly provided to clients who had stopped using her services and also billed Medicaid for family therapy sessions when she had provided only individual therapy. Family therapy is reimbursed at a higher rate.

The charges against Ms. Reardon are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Bond was set at $25,000 during her arraignment today in Hartford Superior Court at G.A. No. 14. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

The case is being prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

Source: "Marriage and family counselor charged with Medicaid fraud," news release of the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, June 20, 2013.