Today, the Honorable Judge Gerald Sevier sentenced April Harper, 38, from Tulare, and Leaudra Smith, 25, from Visalia to 120 days and 90 days, respectively.

Each defendant had previously pleaded to one felony count of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) fraud. In total, the defendants were ordered to pay back restitution to the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency in excess of $4,500.00. They will both be placed on the banned provider list for 10 years.

Harper and Smith were accused of committing fraud to receive compensation for In-Home Supportive Services care. Investigation revealed that both submitted time sheets when they were each providers on the case during time in which the recipient, was hospitalized. It was also uncovered that they both continued to submit time sheets for over a month after the recipient was deceased.

In-Home Supportive Services fraud occurs when the care provider knowingly submits time sheets for hours in which the recipient is not eligible for care, such as: when the recipient is out of the home (hospitalized or incarcerated), the provider is not performing the service hours, or when the recipient is deceased. When a provider is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, he or she will be ineligible to be a provider for a period of 10 years.

This case was investigated by Josh Rowlett of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations, and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Marisa Maclennan.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Don Gallian (559) 733-6411