'They are real life victims'

EUGENE, Ore. -- Michael Mornhinweg billed the state's medicaid program more than $14,000 in 2010, claiming he was caring for two women.

After a five-month investigation, prosecutors discovered that instead of helping the women, Mornhinweg was hurting them - and scamming the state.

A judge sentenced him to prison this week.

Tony Green in the attorney general's office said Mornhinweg tricked two disabled women into letting him become their caregiver. He met the women on an online dating site last year.

He moved one of the women into his house on 20th and Cleveland and charged her rent, even though he was required to take care of her in her own home, the attorney general's office said.

Green said Mornhinweg never moved the second woman in with him; instead, he left her alone almost every day.

A hospital social worker noticed one of the victims was afraid of Mornhinweg. That's when she called adult protection services.

"They are real life victims, people who need these services and then taxpayers are all victims when people cheat the system," said Green.   
 
Green said Medicaid abuse is becoming more common then ever before.

Oregon's Department of Justice recently hired another prosecutor assigned to Medicaid fraud.

Last year, Lane County Senior and Disabled Services investigated 2,400 cases of abuse, a sharp increase from years past. Most involved accusations of neglect and financial exploitation.