(INDIANAPOLIS) – A Middlebury woman is among 12 people charged in a healthcare fraud investigation.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita says his office took decisive action as part of a nationwide crackdown on health care fraud; targeting licensed medical professionals and providers allegedly involved in fraudulent schemes and drug diversion.

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit conducted 13 criminal investigations into suspected Medicaid fraud, resulting in charges against 12 individuals. In the 13 cases, the MFCU investigated licensed health care professionals and Medicaid providers suspected of illegal activities.

One of the individuals is 53 year old Sheri Hapner of Middlebury, who is an LPN. She is charged with felony counts of failure to make, keep or furnish a record; furnishing false or fraudulent information; and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit. It’s alleged that Hapner, while working at The Waters of LaGrange, diverted medication from patients, failed to properly document medication administration, documented false information, or obtained controlled substances for her own use.

Rokita says Medicaid is a critical lifeline for Hoosiers and his office has zero tolerance for those who abuse it for personal gain. He says his committed team tirelessly pursues accountability for those who defraud the system, ensuring justice for Indiana taxpayers, preserving essential resources and ensuring the proper use of controlled substances to protect patients.

These investigations align with a National effort spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.