Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on Jan. 28 that his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit recently secured two convictions and made one arrest related to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in Arkansas.
The announcement highlights ongoing efforts by the Attorney General’s office to address Medicaid fraud and protect vulnerable residents. The office provides legal and protective services throughout Arkansas, offering resources for fraud reporting, consumer protection, legal opinions, and community education programs according to the official website.
Griffin said Amanda Patton of Maynard was arrested on Jan. 22 for allegedly exploiting her aunt, a nursing home resident, by using more than $185,000 of the victim’s personal funds for personal purchases including vehicles and an RV. In a separate case on the same day, David Pelto and Roi Pelto of Fayetteville entered no-contest pleas to charges of exploiting David’s uncle after placing him in a nursing home; they were sentenced to probation, fines, court costs, and restitution.
“My office remains unwavering in our mission to protect the vulnerable and hold bad actors accountable for Medicaid fraud,” Griffin said. He also thanked members of his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit as well as local law enforcement officials who assisted with these cases.
The Arkansas Attorney General’s office engages in initiatives addressing public integrity across the state while supporting public safety through both civil and criminal matters according to its official website. The unit receives most of its funding from federal sources with additional support from state general revenue.
Tim Griffin has served as Attorney General since January 2023 following prior roles including Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Representative for Arkansas’s Second Congressional District according to information available on the official website.
