U.S. Attorney Dena J. King | U.S. Department of Justice
A Charlotte-based behavioral health services provider has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for engaging in Medicaid fraud, COVID-19 relief fraud, and money laundering. The announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Ashley Nicole Cross, aged 42, received a sentence of 135 months in prison. She was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution amounting to $481,436.08. Cross was found guilty on May 17, 2024, after a nine-day trial where she faced charges including healthcare fraud and conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney King was joined by Robert M. DeWitt from the FBI's Charlotte Division and Stephanie G. Opet from the South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in announcing the sentencing.
Court documents revealed that Cross owned Odyssey Health Group (OHG), which participated in fraudulent activities involving the South Carolina Medicaid Program (SC Medicaid). Between 2016 and 2021, OHG submitted false claims for services not provided using personal information of SC Medicaid beneficiaries to claim over $1.2 million.
FBI agents identified several beneficiaries whose details were used without their consent or knowledge. Many stated they never received any mental health services from Cross or OHG.
Cross also laundered money obtained through these fraudulent activities and attempted to cover up her actions during audits by submitting fictitious records.
Additionally, between April 2020 and May 2022, Cross fraudulently acquired Paycheck Protection Program loans for her companies and Gucci International Inc., a business linked to her boyfriend who was under federal indictment at the time.
The case involved cooperation between multiple agencies including the FBI, South Carolina Attorney General’s Office's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Fleisch led the prosecution efforts against Cross.
