Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced on April 1 that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has completed investigations across ten Oklahoma counties, resulting in ten arrests, two surrenders, ten criminal cases, and one civil action. The enforcement actions identified more than $1.5 million in restitution and fines.
Operation Sooner Shield targeted healthcare providers suspected of abusive or fraudulent conduct. The operation is significant due to its focus on protecting vulnerable Oklahomans and recovering state tax dollars from those accused of misconduct within the healthcare system.
Among those facing charges are Christa Lee Rogoff, Marcella Jean Freed, and Patricia Gail Bush. Rogoff is charged with neglect by a caretaker after allegedly failing to use wheelchair restraints for a patient who then suffered severe injuries. Freed faces three counts of exploitation of the elderly for reportedly stealing money from residents at Bartlesville Health and Rehab Center. Bush is charged with exploiting three residents at Haskell County Nursing Center through two counts of exploitation of elderly persons or disabled adults and financial neglect by a caretaker.
A civil lawsuit was also filed against the Neuropathy Treatment Clinic of Oklahoma and James Warren Linn, Jr., alleging improper billing practices to Oklahoma’s Medicaid program regardless of patients’ medical needs. The State seeks relief exceeding $75,000.
“This operation demonstrates my office’s steadfast commitment to protecting vulnerable Oklahomans, combatting fraud and holding bad actors accountable to the law,” Drummond said. “These fraudsters abused the system and innocent Oklahomans. Now, they will face the consequences of their actions.” Agents from Drummond’s office worked with MFCU units in Kansas, Tennessee, and Texas during this investigation.
Oklahoma Medicaid has a budget exceeding $10 billion for Federal Fiscal Year 2026; 82% comes from federal sources while 22% comes from state funding. According to Drummond’s office, these funds are critical for providing health care services needed by many residents.
The state’s Medicaid system—SoonerCare and SoonerSelect—includes nearly 80,000 contracted providers serving all counties in Oklahoma. In 2025 alone it served over one million people; more than half were children.
All defendants named remain presumed innocent until proven guilty as proceedings continue.
The Oklahoma Attorney General focuses on combating crime, ensuring government transparency, strengthening tribal relations, upholding rule of law according to the official biography. Gentner Drummond leads the office leveraging extensive legal experience according to his biography. The Attorney General also advocates policies supporting energy sector interests as well as educational safeguards while pursuing tougher laws against crimes such as rape or drug distribution according to his official profile. Collaboration with state and federal partners addresses organized crime as noted by his biography, operating within public legal services throughout Oklahoma as described officially.
