Thvoughn Lynden Curry, 31, and his wife, Alexis Daneen Curry, 32, are residents of New River, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. They are accused of defrauding the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
The AHCCCS administers the Medicaid program of Arizona. The program covers the behavioral and physical health care services for almost 2 million residents of the state.
Established in 1965, Medicaid provides health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resources in the U.S. Passed in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) significantly expanded the program.
On May 16, 2023, Arizona governor Katie Hobbs, 53, and Arizona attorney general Kris Mayes, 52, announced they were immediately cutting off AHCCCS payments to more than 100 fraudulent medical providers. Illegitimate group homes in the state were accused of taking advantage of vulnerable Native American people.
Between February 1, 2021 and March 31, 2023, Thvoughn and Alexis submitted more than $12,000,000 in claims for the purported treatment of around 185 patients through their outpatient behavioral health clinic in Mesa, Maricopa County. The claims the couple submitted for payment to AHCCCS were fraudulent.
On November 2, 2023, Thvoughn and Alexis went to the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Riverside County, California, USA. They were leaving the casino when they were arrested by officers from the Riverside County Sherriff’s Office.
On November 7, 2023, Alexis made her initial appearance in Riverside, California. On November 14, 2023, Thvoughn made his initial appearance also in Riverside.
Thvoughn and Alexis were each charged with wire fraud and money laundering. A conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 while a conviction for money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
CONAN Daily 