Ark. stops Medicaid payments to nonprofit in wake of arrest

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Authorities in Arkansas have suspended Medicaid payments to a Missouri nonprofit after a former

Melinda Boyer will be the speaker when the Civitan Club meets at noon Thursday at Antigua’s restaurant.

Boyer, field representative and constituent services representative for U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., grew up in northern Arkansas and has an associate’s degree in accounting. She worked in the private sector before returning to college where she completed her bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s degree in human and social services. She also interned for U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark.

Boyer began working for Westerman in March. executive with the agency was arrested as part of a scheme to improperly bill almost $2.3 million in claims for mental health services.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the suspension Friday of Medicaid payments comes a day after Robin Raveendran, formerly executive vice president for Preferred Family Healthcare, was arrested on two counts of Medicaid fraud.

An investigator's affidavit says Raveendran reported to Milton "Rusty" Cranford, a lobbyist who directed Preferred Family's operations in Arkansas. The agency is based in Springfield, Missouri.

Cranford pleaded guilty this month in federal court to bribing state lawmakers.

Four former Arkansas lawmakers have pleaded guilty or have been convicted of corruption charges stemming from the investigation into Cranford's actions.

An attorney for Raveendran could not be reached for comment Saturday.