PIERRE, S.D. -   Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Kim Michael Reid, 55, of Mitchell, South Dakota, was sentenced to serve 5 years with 3 years suspended in the State Penitentiary for committing Medicaid fraud.

Reid pled guilty in August to one count of Making False Claims to Medicaid, a class 5 Felony, pursuant to a plea agreement reached with the State. Reid admitted that he submitted false claims to Medicaid while operating Life Light Counseling, a drug and alcohol counseling center, in Mitchell. The State revoked Life Light’s accreditation and Reid surrendered his counselor certificate. 

“We will investigate and hold accountable those who cheat South Dakota taxpayers by committing Medicaid fraud,” Jackley said.

Circuit Court Judge Timothy W. Bjorkman ordered Reid to pay restitution totaling $115,000.00 to the State. Reid paid $60,000 in restitution at his plea hearing in August. Reid must also pay a fine of $5,000.00, court costs of $104.00, and investigative costs of $1,485.58.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by the South Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Davison County State’s Attorney, the Davison County Sheriff’s Office, the Mitchell Police Department, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Human Services. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     Tuesday, November 9, 2010
CONTACT: Paige Wilbur, (605) 773-3215