Florida Woman Arraigned for Medicaid Fraud in East Lansing

A 53-year-old Florida woman has been charged in Michigan with multiple counts of Medicaid fraud, including allegations she used a smartphone app to falsify GPS locations and claim reimbursements for transportation that never occurred. Julie Evers, of Bradenton, Florida, was arraigned on April 11 in East Lansing’s 54B District Court, facing one felony count of Medicaid fraud conspiracy—punishable by up to 10 years in prison—and 10 counts of Medicaid fraud for false claims, each a four-year felony.

The charges stem from allegations that Evers, while residing in Farwell, Michigan, during the summer of 2023, exploited a Medicaid transportation reimbursement program. The program reimburses beneficiaries for mileage traveled to medical appointments, with some using a GPS-enabled app to track trips. Prosecutors allege Evers used an alternative app to manipulate her phone’s GPS, making it appear she had traveled distances for which she was later reimbursed—despite never actually doing so.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges on May 13, emphasizing the broader impact of such fraud: “Improper billing diverts public resources from those in need and siphons off taxpayer funds,” she stated in a press release. The case was referred to the Attorney General’s office by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, following an investigation.

The Medicaid transportation program reimburses beneficiaries through a payment card mailed upon registration, allowing them to use the funds like a debit card. Evers’s alleged scheme involved submitting claims for reimbursement under the program after falsifying her location via the app, according to court documents. If convicted, she could face significant prison time and financial penalties.

This case follows a broader crackdown by Michigan authorities on Medicaid fraud, including recent charges against two Clare County siblings—Steven John Caplan, 31, and Kayla Marie Earls, 35—who were also accused of transportation fraud in a separate scheme involving GPS manipulation. Both were arraigned in April before the same judge, Lisa Babcock, in East Lansing’s 54B District Court.

The investigation highlights vulnerabilities in digital verification systems used by Medicaid programs, where fraudsters exploit app-based tracking to falsify claims. While GPS technology is designed to ensure accuracy, prosecutors argue that loopholes—such as the use of third-party apps—can be exploited to defraud state and federal funds intended for low-income beneficiaries.

Evers’s case remains pending, with no further court dates scheduled as of May 14, 2026. The Michigan Attorney General’s office has not released additional details about the investigation or potential accomplices, though the charges suggest a systematic approach to defrauding the program over an extended period.

For beneficiaries or providers concerned about potential fraud in Medicaid programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers reporting mechanisms through its official website, where suspicious activity can be flagged for review.