WILMINGTON — Prominent Wilmington dentist Marieve Rodriguez admitted to 10 misdemeanor counts of filing false Medicaid reports today in exchange for state prosecutors dropping 19 felony counts of health care fraud.
In addition Rodriguez, who operates Gentle Care Family Dentistry on Gilpin Avenue, will pay a $100,000 fine, repay $72,000 to the state’s Medicaid program and $50,000 to cover the costs of prosecution.
She also agreed to have her license to practice medicine suspended for a year and to not participate in the state’s Medicaid program -- should she get her license back -- for at least five years.
By admitting to the 10 misdemeanor charges, Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in prison, but prosecutor Kathleen Vavala is only recommending one year of home confinement as part of the deal.
Judge John A. Parkins Jr. set sentencing for June 20.
Rodriguez did not speak at today’s proceedings beyond answering yes-and-no questions. Her attorney, Kevin E. Raphael, declined comment afterward, indicating they will be speaking at sentencing.
Vavala said prosecutors are pleased that a professional who defrauded the public has been held accountable and will be repaying taxpayers.
Contact Sean O’Sullivan at (302) 324-2777 or sosullivan@delawareonline.com.
Dentist admits filing false Medicaid reports | The News Journal | delawareonline.com
AG Joseph R. Biden Press Release August 2010
