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View Full Version : DHS Maine, Huge accounting scam-Guv to oversee dept.


Fern5827
September 17th 03, 06:51 PM
Subject: DHS Maine to be overseen by Guv-Huge accounting scams
From: (Fern5827)
Date: 9/17/2003 1:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: >

Subject: Re: DHS to be overseen by Governors office
The story was posted on our website for most of the day yesterday. Here is a
copy of the script of the story that appeared on WGME News 13 at 6pm last
night:

===================================

GOVERNOR JOHN BALDACCI ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HIS OFFICE WILL TAKE OVER CONTROL
OF ALL FINANCES AT D-H-S. AS WGME NEWS-13'S DOUG RAY TELLS US LIVE FROM OUR
NEWSROOM THIS ACTION COMES ON THE HEELS OF YET ANOTHER MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR
MISHAP.

IT SEEMS EVERY TIME AUDITORS LOOK AT D-H-S'S BOOKS THE NUMBERS JUST DON'T SEEM
TO ADD UP NOW EVEN THOUGH THESE BOOKKEEPING PROBLEMS ARE BY NO MEANS NEW,
GOVERNOR BALDACCI HAS PLEDGED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

"every stone has been unturned in terms of drilling down getting to bottom of
it."

WHAT AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT HAS UNCOVERED IS YEARS OF SLOPPY BOOKKEEPING AT
D-H-S. A 37-MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT FROM THE STATE'S MEDICAID ACCOUNTS.

"we didn't create the problem overnight created it over period of years and got
progressively worse and where we as a state didn't have adequate staffing down
there to manage what really is biggest program we have in state government."

D-H-S ACCOUNTING PRACTICES WERE FIRST CALLED INTO QUESTION LAST SPRING WHEN
THE STATE AUDITOR DISCOVERED 19 MILLION DOLLARS IN WELFARE DISCREPANCIES.

NOW, ON TOP OF THAT COMES WORD OF A 37-MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT FROM MEDICAID
ACCOUNTS -- SOME OF IT FEDERAL MONEY THE STATE WON'T GET --- BECAUSE IT
MISSED DEADLINES FOR MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS ...AND BECAUSE IT PAID MORE THAN
THE FEDS ALLOW TO THE STATE'S MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.

"we need more accurate accounting of our spending and appropriations."
THAT'S LED THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE CONTROL OF D.H.S'S FINANCE AWAY FROM THE AGENCY
AND IN THE HANDS OF HIS OWN OFFICE OF HEALTH POLICY AND FINANCE.

"I personally will oversee what takes place or doesn't take place there on a
weekly basis. it's my responsibility, the buck stops at my desk."

AND DON'T THINK THE ACCOUNTING PROBLEMS AT D-H-S ARE OVER.. THE INDEPENDENT
AUDIT IS CONTINUING AS WE SPEAK. THE GOVERNOR IS PLANNING TO SUBMIT A
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST TO MAKE UP THE 37-MILLION DOLLARS D-H-S IS SHORT
FOLLOWING THE YEARS OF MEDICAID ACCOUNTING ERRORS.

================================

DESCRIPTORS; CPS, MAINE, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, FOSTER CARE, CHILD
PROTECTIVE, MEDICAID FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT, CORRUPTION, FBI, GA, GAO, FRAUD,RICO,
RACKETEERING AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATION, ASFA, CAPTA,ME, MEDICAID, QUI TAM
LAWSUIT, WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT