Charles McKinley Griffin, Tika Michelle Griffin, and Kirk Nathan Evans from Lancaster County have admitted guilt in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, according to federal authorities.
The investigation showed that Charles and Tika Griffin managed a company named Transformation Services, claiming to offer behavioral health services to Medicaid recipients. They allegedly recruited beneficiaries from disadvantaged backgrounds, registered them as clients, and submitted false claims to the State of South Carolina for unprovided services. The scheme included using unlicensed counselors in violation of legal requirements. This fraudulent activity resulted in a loss of over $246,335.
The fraudulent operation at Transformation Services began after Charles Griffin was prohibited from participating in the Medicaid program due to a previous investigation into a similar scheme through another organization. Following his barring, Charles Griffin's spouse, Tika Griffin, was listed as president of Transformation Services, with no formal role for Charles in its founding documents.
Each of the defendants could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Additionally, they may incur a fine of up to $250,000, need to pay restitution, and may serve three years of supervised release following imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis has accepted their guilty pleas and will determine their sentences based on a report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, along with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott Daniels and Scott Matthews.
