Owner of Now-Closed Milwaukee Prenatal Care Coordination Company Sentenced to 121 Months’ Imprisonment for Healthcare Fraud Scheme

Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 17, 2026, Markita Barnes (age 33) was sentenced to 121 months' incarceration for committing a healthcare fraud scheme through which she stole $2,361,799.17 from a Medicaid benefit program meant to help at-risk pregnant women and women with young children.

Following a two-week trial in November 2025, a federal jury convicted Barnes of ten counts of healthcare fraud, three counts of false statements related to healthcare matters, three counts of violating the anti-kickback statute, one count of attempting to obstruct a healthcare fraud investigation, one count of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

In announcing the sentence, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper discussed the substantial negative impact Barnes' fraud scheme, and others like it in the Milwaukee area, has had not only on public trust in government benefit programs, but on the availability of the benefit program she defrauded. Chief Judge Pepper noted that, because of significant fraud surrounding this benefit program, the state of Wisconsin has scaled back the benefit to such an extent that it is largely not available to the women who actually need it.

Chief Judge Pepper also explained that the significant sentence of incarceration she imposed was necessary to account for the seriousness of Barnes's conduct and to send a message of deterrence to others considering engaging in fraud against hard-working taxpayers.

In addition to the 121-month period of incarceration, Chief Judge Pepper issued a money judgment of forfeiture in the amount of $2,361,799.17 and ordered Cruse to pay restitution to Medicaid in the same amount.

"The substantial sentence holds Ms. Barnes accountable for her very serious crimes. She stole limited public resources that were intended for our neighbors most in need of public assistance," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. "Many people in need will not receive help due to the defendant's actions. This is a strong message to other fraudsters that we are coming for them, and they will be punished."

"The FBI is dedicated to ensuring those who defraud the American people through healthcare fraud face justice," said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. "Markita Barnes devised a scheme in which she defrauded Medicaid of millions of dollars at the expense of at-risk mothers and children. The lengthy sentence and order of restitution should serve as a warning for those who seek to enrich themselves through fraud. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat healthcare fraud and root out those who steal from the American people."

"The defendant's appalling conduct undermined the ability of vulnerable individuals to get support," said Attorney General Josh Kaul. "This outcome demonstrates how seriously government benefits fraud is taken."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit, the DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.

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