How Could You? Hall of Shame- CPS worker Ieshia Hicks Watkins UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions. From Charlotte, North Carolina, “a Mecklenburg County DSS social worker faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to Medicaid fraud conspiracy and illegal kickbacks. Ieshia Hicks Watkins also has to forfeit nearly $20,000 in what prosecutors call ill-gotten gains from the scheme. She sold the names and identifications of 25 children in Mecklenburg County’s DSS system for cash and gifts.

The information was part of Watkins’ case work. She has been with Mecklenburg County DSS since 2007. Watkins hid her face under a hat walking into and out of court. She avoided questions and cameras after entering the guilty pleas. In 2010, Hicks emailed the names and identifications of the 25 children to Ronnie Lorenzo Robinson, Jr., who operated a company called Peaceful Alternative Resources. Robinson has already pleaded guilty in a $3.4 million Medicaid fraud scheme.

The names Watkins gave Robinson led to $30,000 in false Medicaid claims for services never provided to those kids. “She has obviously accepted responsibility and decided to move on, that’s pretty much it,” said Watkins’ attorney James Exum. But Watkins said nothing when given a chance to make a statement in court about her crimes. She also said nothing when asked about abusing the trust of families she was tasked with helping. “There will be a time for that, but not now, though,” Exum said. Watkins’ sentencing hasn’t been scheduled, but is expected to be in a few months.

Mecklenburg County says it has several safeguards in place to protect the private information it collects and has no information to suggest protected information was provided. County officials aren’t saying if Watkins is still employed or has been fired.”

Meck. DSS worker pleads guilty to fraud[WCNC 10/23/14 by Tony Burbeck]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update:” Ieshia Hicks Watkins pleaded guilty in October 2014 to one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of receiving illegal kickbacks. Ryce Edward Hatchett pleaded guilty on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, to one count of receiving illegal kickbacks. Both defendants await sentencing.”

Former Clinic Owner Sentenced To 2.5 Years In Prison For $3.4 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme[Justice.gov]

Update 2:“A judge sentenced a former Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services worker to probation and home detention for selling private information of 25 children.

FBI agents said Ieshia Watkins, 33, used her access as a social worker to sell the names and information of 25 children to a man named Ronnie Robinson for $10,000.

According to court records, Robinson then used it to file $30,000 in false Medicaid claims for his non-profit mental health service.

He pleaded guilty in January after draining $3.4 million from Medicaid in fraudulent reimbursement payments.

During her sentencing hearing Monday Watkins’ attorney said she was “remorseful” and had cooperated with investigators from the start. Watkins’ also addressed the court and apologized.

“I regret hurting the families that were affected by my actions,” Watkins said.

Watkins refused to answer a Channel 9 reporter’s question after the hearing but her attorney spoke on her behalf.

“We said what we needed to say in court but we’re glad that this is history now,” said attorney James Exum.

During the hearing, Exum referenced an “inapproriate relationship” that might have led to the criminal action. Exum said it was not an excuse but “inappropriate relationships” can “become other things”. Exum would not elaborate on the relationship after the hearing.

While the case is over, it might have sparked permanent change at the county level. A county spokesperson told Eyewitness News that it conducted its own investigation and is now requiring additional mandated confidentiality training. It has also placed a renewed focus on the internal fraud hotline.

Watkins began a three-month period of home detention Monday. She will remain on probation for two years.”

Social worker sentenced for selling children’s information [WSOTV 7/27/15 by Blake Hanson]