Dana Nessel, Attorney General of Michigan | www.facebook.com
Dana Nessel, Attorney General of Michigan | www.facebook.com
Three individuals have been charged with Medicaid fraud for allegedly exploiting a transportation reimbursement program, according to an announcement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Bernice Marie Pate, 51, of Inkster, was arraigned in the 54B District Court in East Lansing on October 8, 2025. She faces 10 counts of Medicaid Fraud – False Claim, each carrying a potential four-year prison sentence.
Earlier in the week, Wanda Rose Spivey, 55, of Taylor, and Ashley Eliza Mendoza, 34, of Detroit, were also arraigned in the same court. Both face five counts each of Medicaid Fraud – False Claim.
The case centers on Michigan's Medicaid mileage reimbursement program. This initiative allows enrolled beneficiaries to receive payments for travel to medical appointments. In some instances, participants use a smartphone app that tracks their trips using GPS technology. After completing an eligible trip, beneficiaries receive payment on a card provided by the program.
According to allegations, the defendants used another application to manipulate their phones’ location data and submitted claims for trips that did not occur. The Department of Attorney General began investigating after receiving a referral from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG).
“Taking advantage of a program designed to help those in need get to necessary medical services is deplorable,” said Nessel. “I commend the DHHS Office of Inspector General for their work on this case. This remains an active investigation, and my office is committed to holding those who engaged in this conduct accountable.”
Spivey and Mendoza were arraigned before Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt on October 6; Pate appeared before Judge Greenwalt two days later. All three were released on $50,000 personal recognizance bonds. Their next court appearance is scheduled for October 17 at 8:30 a.m., followed by a preliminary examination on October 23 at 9:00 a.m.
The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD) is managing the prosecution. The HCFD serves as Michigan’s federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and receives most of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through federal grants.
As with all criminal proceedings, it is emphasized that charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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